Chief Justices Nationwide Endorse Sweeping National Judicial Policy for Court Reform
In a landmark move towards judicial transformation, chief justices from across India convened in Bhopal to back a comprehensive National Judicial Policy designed to overhaul court governance. The two-day conference, held at the National Judicial Academy (NJA), concluded on Sunday with a strong emphasis on shifting from traditional administrative models to a strategic, data-driven system.
Conference Focuses on Building a Unified and Efficient Judiciary
The summit, inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday, centered on the theme 'Building a unified, efficient and people-centric judiciary'. Under the guidance of Justice Surya Kant and senior Supreme Court judges, participants brainstormed extensively on institutionalizing administrative reforms and formulating the National Judicial Policy.
According to a statement from the NJA, the policy aims to "transform judicial governance from a traditional model into a strategic, data-driven system". This initiative is intended to equip high courts with the tools necessary to navigate modern legal complexities while upholding institutional integrity nationwide.
Strategic Roadmap to Tackle Case Backlogs and Streamline Procedures
A key outcome of the conference was the development of a strategic roadmap to address persistent case backlogs. The plan includes:
- Streamlining judicial procedures to enhance efficiency.
- Prioritizing trials for offenses punishable by up to seven years to expedite justice delivery.
Additionally, the conference deliberated on critical issues such as media trials, reaffirming that justice must be delivered in the courtroom to protect the presumption of innocence. The discussions also highlighted the need to curb stale or unnecessary litigation by the state, recognizing its role as a frequent litigant.
Commitment to Digital Innovation and Linguistic Inclusivity
The statement further emphasized a collective commitment to institutionalizing reforms through digital innovation and linguistic inclusivity. By leveraging technology and ensuring accessibility, the conference aimed to create a modern, uniform, and citizen-centric justice system.
"By curbing the State's role as a frequent litigant and institutionalising reforms through digital innovation and linguistic inclusivity, the conference reaffirmed a collective commitment to creating a modern, accessible, uniform and citizen-centric justice system," the NJA statement added.
This gathering marks a significant step towards judicial reform, with chief justices uniting to push for a data-driven approach that promises to enhance the efficiency and fairness of India's legal framework.
