A distinguished jurist with a global perspective, Justice S.S. Nijjar's career spanned various High Courts and culminated in his service on the Supreme Court of India, marked by his expertise in constitutional law and commitment to legal service.
Born on June 7, 1949, Justice S.S. Nijjar received his education in England from the age of 12. He obtained an LLB Degree from the University of London in 1972 and completed his Bar-at-Law from Middle Temple Inn, London, in 1975.
From 1975 to 1977, Justice Nijjar practiced law in England. He was enrolled as an Advocate of the Punjab & Haryana High Court on April 28, 1977. His practice included appearances in the District Courts at Chandigarh, Departmental Authorities, and the Central Administrative Tribunal, which was established in Chandigarh in 1985. He primarily practiced in the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, specializing in constitutional and writ matters. Justice Nijjar served as Standing Counsel to numerous Nationalized Banks, Government Corporations, and Universities, and had extensive experience in service and industrial law. He was designated as a Senior Advocate in November 1989. On October 13, 1995, the Government of Punjab appointed him as an Additional Advocate General.
Justice Nijjar was elevated to the Bench of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh, as an Additional Judge on April 8, 1996. He was transferred as an Additional Judge of the High Court at Bombay on April 26, 1996, and was appointed Puisne Judge of the High Court at Bombay on April 3, 1998. He was transferred back to the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, Chandigarh, and assumed charge on August 7, 2000. On February 7, 2006, he was appointed as Chairman of the Advisory/NSA Board of Punjab. From October 3, 2006, to November 28, 2006, he served as Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. He was appointed as Executive Chairman of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority on November 3, 2006. Justice Nijjar assumed the charge of office of the Chief Justice of the High Court at Calcutta on March 7, 2007. He was elevated as a Judge to the Supreme Court of India on November 17, 2009. On October 11, 2011, he was unanimously elected as a Master of the Bench (Bencher) of the Honorable Society of the Middle Temple, London. In 2012, he was appointed as Chairman of the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee of the Supreme Court. Justice Nijjar retired on June 6, 2014.
