Union Law Minister Requests States To Ensure Adequate Security For Judges & Courts

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday requested the State Government to ensure adequate security to the judges and court complexes since safe and sound environment for courts is necessary to ensure free and fair delivery of justice.Speaking at the inaugural session of the Joint Conference of the Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of the High Courts, the Minister said :"In order to ensure free and fair delivery of justice it is extremely important that court complexes work in a safe and sound environment. I request the State Governments to ensure adequate security to the judges and court complexes. I also urge all other officials of the court including the Bar Association to create a conducive and enabling environment in maintaining decorum of court and court complexes"He said that one of the agendas at the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts is to propose the establishment of dedicated Commercial Courts in case of pendency of more than 500 commercial disputes in a State."For speedy resolution of commercial cases, Commercial Courts Act was passed and again amended in 2018 which led to the establishment of dedicated Commercial Courts for the first time in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Bengaluru with dedicated infrastructure and exclusive members and staff. This has led to focused attention on commercial disputes resolution and speedy disposal.As part of agenda of this meeting, it is proposed that in case more than 500 Commercial Disputes are pending State Governments may consider establishing one more dedicated commercial court for the same. In cases where the pendency is less than 500 Commercial Disputes, establishment of designated Commercial Courts may be considered to aid efficient and timely disposal of commercial cases." Under The E-Court Integration Mode Project, 18735 Courts Across The Country Have Been ComputerisedLaying emphasis on the e-Court integration mode project which was launched to improve access to justice using technology, Minister said, "CoVID pandemic has hard hit our judiciary delivery mechanism, embarking on the "Digital India" vision of hon'ble PM. The e-Court integration mode project was launched with the objective of improving access to justice using technology. Under the project 18735 courts across the country have been computerized. Our courts have risen to the occasion and made use of information and innovative communication technology means to keep the justice system accessible to the common man through eFiling of cases and hearing through video conferencing. The Supreme Court has emerged as a global leader with more than 2.8 lakh virtual hearings. The HC's and district courts have conducted more than 1.84 crore virtual hearings." Through National Judicial Data Grid Lawyers & Litigants Can Get Access To Case Status Of Our 20.23 Crore Cases & 17.22 Crore Orders Highlighting another significant contribution related to the eCourt integration mode, Law Minister said, "Another significant contribution is the National Judicial Data Grid through which the lawyers and litigants can get access to case status of our 20.23 crore cases and 17.22 crore orders and judgements pertaining to the courts." "Data is uploaded on a real time basis by the Court, yet another landmark achievement of eCourts is the setting up of virtual courts. There are 17 virtual courts functioning in 13 states and UT's which primarily deal in petty traffic offenses. This court has covered nearly 1.39 crore cases and realized 236.88 crore online fines. Besides being environmentally friendly as cases are adjudicated in paper less manner it has led to saving of judicial manpower and added to the convenience of citizens. An area of legislative and policy reforms has been launched to strengthen the contract regime under the ease of doing business initiative of the government."He also said that emphasis has been made to promote ADR mechanism. Mediation Bill 2021 is introduced in the Parliament which is in furtherance of the endeavor of the government to provide parties to dispute an efficacious remedy avoiding recourse to litigation.NALSA efforts laudedLauding the efforts of NALSA, Law Minister said, "I take this opportunity to laud the efforts of NALSA in taking steps to introduce online filing of pre institution mediation and organising eLok adalats specially during pandemic. I am happy to inform that Department of Justice is entering into agreement with NALSA with an aim to create synergy between scheme especially Tele Law and Nyaya Bandhu. This agreement with facilitate expansion of "Tele Law" services through trained lawyers in every district of the country. I request all States and UT's to extend their whole hearted support in reaching the unreached."Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the function.Executive's Failure To Perform & Ambiguities In Laws Contribute To Judiciary's Case Load : ...

Union Law Minister Requests States To Ensure Adequate Security For Judges & Courts

Shruti Kakkar

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