Arif S. Doctor

Doctor enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in 1998. He practiced under Senior Advocate Darius J. Khambata, appearing before the Supreme Court of India, the Bombay High Court, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), and other tribunals.^[3][2][4]

His practice focused on civil, constitutional, company, environmental, and admiralty law, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. From 2009 to 2012, he served as a Panel Counsel for the Union of India.^[2][5]

He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on 19 July 2022.^[3] On 14 December 2023, the Collegium of the High Court of Bombay unanimously recommended his name for appointment as a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court.^[6]

On 13 March 2024, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended that Doctor, be appointed as a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court.^[6] He was elevated to Permanent Judge on 21 March 2024.^[1][7]

He has presided over notable cases, including:

•  Redevelopment Law: Ruled that minority members of housing societies cannot obstruct redevelopment projects approved by a majority, impacting urban real estate disputes.^[8]

•  Arbitration: Upheld a foreign arbitral award, reinforcing India’s pro-arbitration stance, and clarified the scope of interim relief under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.^[9]

•  Public Interest: Addressed cases involving illegal hoardings, fire safety guidelines, public healthcare, and stray dog feeding rights.^[10]

•  Professional Ethics: In a notable 2025 ruling, alongside Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Doctor criticized a senior lawyer for blaming a junior for a case dismissal, directing the senior to gift a book on the Constitution to the junior.^[11]