Home The Constitution Part VI Article 223

Art. 223 Part VI: The States

Appointment of Acting Chief Justice

Exact text — Constitution of India

When the office of Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant or when any such Chief Justice is, by reason of absence or otherwise, unable to perform the duties of his office, the duties of the office shall be performed by such one of the other Judges of the Court as the President may appoint for the purpose.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

The High Court mirror of Article 126 — ensures continuous leadership even during a vacancy or a sitting Chief Justice's temporary unavailability, with the President appointing another sitting judge to act in that role.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This ensures every High Court always has someone performing the Chief Justice's administrative and ceremonial functions, mirroring the Supreme Court's own continuity mechanism.

Read alongside this one

Art. 126 — Appointment of Acting Chief Justice

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 223

Is there a strong convention for who typically gets appointed acting Chief Justice?

By long-standing convention (though not strictly mandated by this Article's bare text), the senior-most sitting judge is typically appointed, maintaining a predictable, seniority-based approach.

← PreviousArticle 222: Transfer of a Judge From One High Court to Another Next →Article 224: Appointment of Additional and Acting Judges

The text above reproduces Article 223 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.