Advocate Bharat Chugh is a distinguished lawyer and highly respected figure in the Indian legal arena, known for his rapid rise in the profession and his impactful contributions across various legal domains. He started his legal journey after completing his law degree in 2011. This was followed by another remarkable achievement when, in 2013, at just 23 years of age, he achieved the distinguished honor of securing the 1st rank in the Delhi Judicial Service Examination, making him one of the youngest Civil Judges/Metropolitan Magistrates in India. His role as a judge for over three years set the stage for his continued success as a legal practitioner and thought leader in the legal community.
He has been awarded the Forensic Excellence Award at the 15th IASR International Conference on Forensic Science for his deep understanding of the law and a commitment to delivering justice and skilfully presiding over a wide range of civil and criminal cases.
From Judge to Advocate: Expanding Legal Horizons
Despite successfully portraying the role of a judge, he chose to return to private practice in 2016. He partnered with L&L Partners, where his focus areas included international commercial arbitration, complex litigation, and intellectual property law, along with areas like cyber crime, privacy laws, and extradition. His expertise gained national as well as international recognition, which allowed him to advice high-profile clients and represent them in complex disputes. During this period, he also contributed to the development of arbitration practices in India by assisting the Delhi International Arbitration Centre in updating its rules.
In 2020, he started independent practice and established the Chambers of Bharat Chugh, where he led a team of lawyers and handled challenging criminal cases and domestic and international arbitrations. His planned and novel approach to legal disputes has made him a go-to counsel in the legal community.
Advocate and Educator: A Commitment to Public Service
Apart from his legal career, he has exhibited a strong commitment to public service and legal education. With his expertise and through various lectures and seminars organized by prestigious institutions like the National Judicial Academy, Delhi Police Academy, and Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, he has trained and mentored hundreds of professionals, including judges, IPS officers, arbitrators, and company secretaries. His lectures, especially on arbitration law, cyber crime, and electronic evidence, have helped in enhancing the knowledge of legal professionals and the law enforcement community as a whole across India.
He dedicatedly worked for fair trials, and this has been proved through his work as amicus curiae before the Delhi High Court, where he has represented defendants who lacked legal representation. Once he also argued in 12 serious criminal cases in a single day to ensure effective case resolutions within the boundaries of the principles of justice.
Media Presence and Thought Leadership
Advocate Bharat Chugh is an avid reader and commentator. He regularly shares his insights on legal matters through columns, podcasts, and articles in leading publications such as Bar and Bench, SCC Online, Live Law, and mainstream media outlets like The Indian Express, Bloomberg, and Hindustan Times. His extraordinary ability to break down difficult-to-understand legal concepts into digestible content makes him a highly respected voice in the legal fraternity.
Acclaimed Achievements and Recognition
Bharat's exceptional legal career has been widely recognized. He was featured in LexisNexis's publication 'On the Rise: Inspiring Stories of Young Legal Professionals in India'. His skill sets like strategic thinking, persuasive argumentation, and cross-examination make him stand apart as a tough litigator. He is currently representing the Supreme Court-appointed committee on the Manipur issue, further highlighting his role in handling high-stakes and sensitive cases.
Bharat Chugh presents a unique blend of legal expertise, public service, and thought leadership, which has made him one of India's most influential and respected young lawyers. His deep understanding of the law, in combination with his early success as a judge, has gained him a reputation for excellence in both legal practice and public service.
Dr. Ranjeet Singh, along with IASR, Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science, Clue4Evidence Forensic Lab, and the entire organizing committee, acknowledges Advocate Bharat Chugh for his contributions that extend beyond courtroom, active engagements through legal writing, public speaking, and mentorship, and for improving access to justice. We wish that with his commitment to innovation, advocacy, and education and his national and global influence, he continues to inspire future legal professionals.