Subbiah was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court on 24 March 2008 by the President of India, Pratibha Patil.

John Doe order is a pre-infringement injunction remedy provided to protect the intellectual property rights of the creator of artistic works like movies, songs, etc.

[citation needed] John Doe Order was passed by Justice R Subbiah in the case relating to the movie Dhammu.

This Movie was created by Creative Commercials Media & Entertainment Ltd. and the John Doe order was passed against BSNL and other ISP's restraining them from infringing their copyrights.

[citation needed] Subbiah and Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy, sitting in a Bench, dismissed a petition filed by a Puduchery Member of Legislative Assembly, challenging his disqualification through an order by the Speaker.

[citation needed] Subbiah, sitting as a Judge of Madras High Court, refused to stay ordinance banning Online Gambling Games.

When she filed a case before the High Court, Subbiah had passed an interim order restraining the IT company from removing her from the employment.