MR. Nanabhai Haridas

LL.B., Pleader. 1883-1889

Mr. Justice Nanabhai Haridas , LL.B., Pleader : Was the first permanent Indian Judge of the Bombay High Court, although another pleader Jagannath Wassudewji (who was in subordinate judicial service), was appointed Acting Judge before him. In 1857 he enrolled as a Vakil of the Sudder Diwani Adawlut, on establishment of High Court, was admitted as a Vakil on Appellate Side. Between 1873 and 1884, Nanabhai acted as temporary Judge nine times, in the intervals reverting to his post of Government Pleader and Professor of Law at the Law School - swinging from the Bar to the Bench and from the Bench again to the Bar, for a record period of 11 years. It was in 1884 that he was at last confirmed as a Judge. He held the office of Judge till his death in 1889. He had great knowledge of Hindu law; and some of his judgements are among the earliest expositions of important principles of Hindu Law.