Darshan Shah Pitches Vision of a Modern, Transparent and Tech-Enabled Bar; Files Candidature for GHAA President

• Bilkul Online | By Rafat Quadri
• Ahmedabad | 15 Dec 2025

Young Gujarat High Court advocate Darshan Shah has announced his candidature for the post of President of the Gujarat High Court Advocates Association (GHAA), with elections scheduled to be held on 19 December 2025. Emphasising the need for a future-ready Bar, Shah said the time has come to strengthen the institution by empowering young leadership with the guidance and blessings of senior advocates.

Addressing members of the Bar, Advocate Shah said his decision to contest stems from a clear vision to build a modern, transparent and supportive Bar Association—one that ensures meaningful training, work opportunities and representation for young advocates while formally institutionalising the experience and wisdom of seniors.

He pointed out that a large proportion of today’s Bar comprises young and first-generation lawyers who often struggle with limited access to mentoring, learning avenues and professional opportunities during their initial years of practice. Having personally faced these challenges, Shah said he wishes to transform the GHAA into a platform where experience and youthful energy work in harmony.

Outlining his agenda, Advocate Shah highlighted three key focus areas. His first priority is the creation of a structured learning and mentoring ecosystem under the GHAA, where senior advocates can guide juniors in drafting, legal research, courtcraft and advocacy skills. Regular workshops, seminars and hands-on training programmes, he said, would help enhance the overall professional capacity of the Bar.

Secondly, Shah proposed establishing a transparent work-allocation and opportunity platform, enabling senior advocates and chambers to connect easily with young lawyers for drafting, research and court work. This initiative, he noted, would provide young advocates with real practice exposure and employment opportunities while also supporting seniors in managing professional workload efficiently.

His third focus area is the effective integration of technology in the day-to-day functioning of the Bar. Shah plans to work towards setting up a GHAA Tech Help Desk, providing assistance for e-filing and digital documentation, upgrading technological facilities in the library and common areas, and introducing a simple digital complaint and suggestion mechanism to make Bar operations more efficient and time-saving.

Clarifying his stand, Advocate Shah said his candidature is not against any senior advocate or group, but is aimed at strengthening the institution, fostering unity and preparing the Bar for the future. He stressed that young advocates must be given greater responsibility and opportunities, while ensuring that the respect, guidance and leadership of senior advocates remain central.

Appealing to the Bar members, Shah said the GHAA is a family that must evolve with changing times. “Now is the time to make the Bar more modern, strong and future-oriented by giving an opportunity to young leadership with the blessings of seniors,” he said, urging members to support a young, responsible and proactive leadership in the elections scheduled for 19 December 2025.

(Rafat Quadri can be contacted at editorbilkul@gmail.com)