Commercial Law, Taxation & Economic Governance

Justice Shah has authored a substantial body of jurisprudence in commercial, fiscal, and regulatory matters, shaping the law on taxation, corporate governance, banking and finance, and economic regulation. His decisions emphasise certainty, predictability, proportionality, and fairness, recognising that economic activity depends on stable legal frameworks and principled state action. In taxation matters, he has consistently resisted arbitrariness, underscoring legality, transparency, and constitutional limits on fiscal power.

Arbitration & Mediation (ADR)

A defining feature of Justice Shah’s jurisprudence is its pro-arbitration and pro-mediation orientation. His judgments support the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, alignment with international arbitration norms, and minimal judicial interference. Equally, he has advanced mediation as a central component of modern dispute resolution, encouraging early, principled settlement. This philosophy was institutionally reinforced through his leadership in establishing court-annexed ADR and mediation centres across Punjab, embedding consensual dispute resolution within the justice system.

Criminal Law & Constitutionalisation of Criminal Justice

Justice Shah’s criminal-law jurisprudence is marked by a constitutional reading of criminal process, infusing fundamental rights, due process, dignity, and proportionality into criminal adjudication. His decisions have sought to move criminal law away from rigid formalism toward a rights-based, humane, and forward-looking framework, ensuring that state power is exercised fairly and that criminal justice remains consistent with constitutional values.

Labour, Trade & Workplace Justice (including Sexual Harassment)

In matters relating to labour, trade, and workplace relations, Justice Shah’s jurisprudence advances fairness, equality, and protection of vulnerable workers. His decisions on sexual harassment reflect a clear understanding of power imbalances in professional spaces, treating workplace dignity and safety as enforceable legal rights rather than aspirational norms. This strand of his jurisprudence aligns closely with contemporary equality jurisprudence and international human-rights standards.

Climate & Environmental Justice

Justice Shah is internationally recognised for pioneering climate and environmental jurisprudence. His judgments integrate scientific evidence, economic realities, and constitutional rights to address air pollution, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability. He has framed environmental protection as integral to public health, intergenerational justice, and sustainable development, positioning courts as constitutional guardians where regulatory failure threatens fundamental rights.

Constitutionalism & Federalism

At the core of his judicial work lies a deep commitment to constitutional supremacy, separation of powers, and institutional balance. Justice Shah’s jurisprudence on constitutional interpretation and federalism reflects principled restraint—defending constitutional boundaries while ensuring democratic governance remains effective, accountable, and rights-respecting.

Human Rights, Dignity & a Feminist, Pro-People Orientation

Justice Shah’s jurisprudence consistently advances human dignity, equality, and substantive justice, with a discernible feminist and pro-people orientation. His decisions foreground the lived experiences of individuals affected by law, particularly women and marginalised communities, and challenge structural discrimination embedded in legal and institutional practices. Across diverse fields, his work reflects a commitment to expanding rights, reducing inequality, and ensuring that law serves people rather than power.

Disability Rights & Inclusion

A distinctive contribution of his jurisprudence lies in advancing disability rights, treating accessibility and inclusion as constitutional obligations. His decisions emphasise reasonable accommodation, institutional responsibility, and the dismantling of systemic barriers, aligning domestic law with modern international disability-rights frameworks.

Education, Institutional Autonomy & Governance

In cases involving educational institutions and public bodies, Justice Shah has upheld principles of autonomy, academic freedom, transparency, and good governance, recognising education as foundational to constitutional democracy and social progress.

Law, Technology & Artificial Intelligence

In his later judicial work, Justice Shah has engaged with the challenges posed by technology and artificial intelligence. His jurisprudence explores how innovation can enhance efficiency and access to justice, while insisting on human oversight, fairness, and accountability in technology-assisted decision-making.