With this decision of the high court, passed on May 14, all civil cases involving an amount less than Rs 50 lakh have to be filed in the district courts.

No advocate appeared for their clients either in criminal or civil cases listed for the day before different benches and the judges adjourned the hearings to other dates.

A large number of lawyers assembled in front of the court building to observe a silent protest. They said the executive committee of the HCBA met here in the evening yesterday to consider the issue and unanimously decided to go on strike to protest against the decision. The executive was of the view that the high court decision would result in serious impediments in the development of the bar, especially the younger members.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the decision, the Delhi High Court Bar Association (HCBA) president, Amarjit Singh Chandihok and the secretary, Anoop Bagai said: ``The May 14 decision of the full court recommending quantum hike in the pecuniary jurisdiction of the High Court from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh was not acceptable to the association.''

They also said: ``The high court's decision went against assurances it had earlier given to the HCBA and the practice to hold prior consultation with the bar.'' They claimed that the court had given them an assurance earlier but ``acted contrary to its own resolution in the matter.'' Meanwhile, advocate and former law minister Shanti Bhushan today filed a contempt petition against the Delhi High Court Bar Association (HCBA) president, secretary and advocate P.N. Lekhi for ``forcibly'' preventing him from entering court during a strike by lawyers.