In a groundbreaking development for inclusivity in the Indian legal system, Zen Access Law Associates, India’s first law firm led entirely by lawyers with disabilities, was officially launched on April 11, 2025. The event saw the presence of former Chief Justice of India, Dr. DY Chandrachud, who has long been an advocate for progressive reforms and inclusivity in the judiciary. This historic moment signals a shift towards greater accessibility and representation for persons with disabilities (PwDs) within the legal profession.
Zen Access Law Associates: Pioneering Legal Inclusion
Zen Access Law Associates is not just another law firm—it is a beacon of empowerment for lawyers with disabilities who have traditionally been underrepresented in mainstream legal practice. The firm will offer services in core legal areas including:
- Corporate and Contractual Law
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Service Law
- Disability Rights Law
This multi-specialty focus demonstrates that lawyers with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to all facets of the legal profession, not merely those related to advocacy or pro bono work.
Mission Accessibility: The Force Behind the Movement
The launch event was hosted as part of a public dialogue featuring Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain, co-founders of Mission Accessibility, an organization committed to providing low-cost and pro bono legal services to persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Within just a year, the organization has successfully represented clients in 42 cases before various courts and tribunals—an impressive feat for a relatively young initiative.
Bajaj and Jain moderated the discussion with Justice Chandrachud, asking eight questions selected from a pool of 43 submitted by persons with disabilities from across the country. The questions touched upon core structural issues and policy challenges, including the enforcement powers of disability commissioners, judicial delay in disability rights cases, and the need to expand career opportunities for disabled lawyers.
Justice DY Chandrachud’s Vision for Disability Rights
Justice DY Chandrachud, known for his liberal jurisprudence and inclusive judicial philosophy, emphasized the need for a structural overhaul in how disability rights are implemented and enforced. He made several noteworthy suggestions during the dialogue:
- Enhancing Powers of Disability Commissioners
Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, disability commissioners currently lack binding enforcement powers. Justice Chandrachud proposed that they be vested with the authority to issue binding orders, impose monetary penalties for non-compliance, and set implementation deadlines. This, he emphasized, would ensure actual enforcement of the Act’s provisions. - Tackling Judicial Delays in Disability Rights Cases
When asked about delays in hearing disability rights cases, Justice Chandrachud said that while setting up dedicated benches was one solution, a more sustainable approach would be integrating these matters across regular benches. This would normalize the importance of such cases within the judiciary and prevent ghettoization of disability issues. - Incentivizing Accessibility Compliance
He also recommended offering tax incentives to promote voluntary compliance with accessibility norms, thus encouraging institutions and private players to adopt inclusive infrastructure and policies. - Representation of Disabled Lawyers in Government Panels
In a strong pitch for institutional representation, he urged the Central Government to consider appointing lawyers with disabilities as panel counsel. He also proposed convening a national conference involving High Court Chief Justices, Law Secretaries, and disability commissioners to formulate inclusive policy measures in legal representation.
A Personal Revelation
In a poignant moment during the event, Justice Chandrachud shared a personal challenge—his difficulty in finding accessible housing in Delhi for his two daughters with special needs. He revealed that he would soon vacate his official residence by April 30, 2025. This heartfelt disclosure served as a reminder that accessibility barriers affect even the most prominent figures, reinforcing the need for urgent systemic reform.
Empathy, Inclusion, and the Future of the Indian Legal System
This event, and the launch of Zen Access Law Associates in particular, marks a turning point in the Indian legal ecosystem. It underscores a growing understanding within the judiciary of the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. From inaccessible courtrooms to lack of inclusive legal education and professional opportunities, systemic barriers have historically marginalized disabled legal professionals.
However, this narrative is beginning to shift.
Why Zen Access Law Associates Matters
The importance of Zen Access Law Associates goes beyond symbolism. It provides:
- Proof of Concept: It shows that lawyers with disabilities are more than capable of excelling in specialized areas of law.
- Professional Empowerment: It shifts the focus from charity to competence, dismantling the assumption that PwDs should only work in pro bono sectors.
- Policy Catalyst: With institutional visibility, the firm can push for broader legal reforms and inspire similar initiatives across the country.
Conclusion
The launch of Zen Access Law Associates is a landmark moment in India’s journey toward an inclusive legal system. Supported by voices like Justice DY Chandrachud and driven by passionate changemakers like Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain, the firm sets a precedent for how legal institutions can be reimagined for equity and inclusion.
As the legal community takes note, it is imperative that both private and public sectors join hands to create accessible spaces—not just physically, but institutionally and attitudinally. Only then can the promise of justice truly be equal for all.
