On December 11, 2025, the Delhi High Court was informed by the central government that existing labour courts and industrial tribunals will continue to handle all pending and new labour dispute cases. This will happen until new tribunals, as required under the Industrial Relations Code 2020, are set up. The Centre’s counsel referred to a Ministry of Labour and Employment notification from December 8, which said this step is needed to avoid any legal or administrative gap. A court bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela recorded these submissions. They asked the government to ensure a smooth transition from the old labour dispute system to the new one under the Industrial Relations Code 2020. The court also praised Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma for efforts in this matter. The hearing was part of a petition challenging the November 21 notification that brought the Industrial Relations Code 2020 into effect but did not establish the rules or tribunals needed for its implementation. The petitioners, N A Sebastian and Sunil Kumar, said that because new tribunals do not exist yet, all pending labour dispute cases are stuck, causing confusion and halting justice. The petition argued that the notification forcing all cases to transfer under the new code before tribunals exist violates constitutional rights. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on January 12, 2026.