The Hindu : Karnataka / Dharwad News : Utilise resources to clear backlog: Judge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Dharwad

Utilise resources to clear backlog: Judge

By Our Special Correspondent

DHARWAD, DEC. 29. The real issue facing judiciary is one of optimum utilisation of existing resources with a view to eliminating the arrears of cases, Madan Lokur, Judge of the Delhi High Court, said on Tuesday.

Delivering the valedictory address at the S.C. Javali Memorial National Moot Court Competition here, Mr Lokur suggested that a five-year plan to eliminate arrears be implemented by making necessary reforms in the justice delivery system.

Manpower planning

Mr. Lokur stressed the need for introducing good managerial practices through better manpower planning and better utilisation of human resources. He said that there is no management process existing in the court system. While the need of the hour was to incorporate best managerial practices to run and manage the entire court system, the introduction of the managerial system would have impact in the courts, he said.

The justice delivery system, according to Mr. Lokur, will be facing newer challenges with the opening of the economy. Lawyers will have to face challenges and competition from their colleagues based in other countries, of from those from India, who were better equipped due to training obtained in other countries.

Solutions

Mr. Lokur said that often it had been noticed that a thorough study and understanding of problems itself threw up solutions. The discussion in the Delhi Judicial Academy on speedy disposal of cases, not only helped in identifying problems but also threw up solutions. The bottlenecks included petty issues such as equal distribution of caseload. The simple solution that emerged was that many of the cases could be transferred to Civil Judges, who had a far lesser caseload to handle, Mr. Lokur said.

Research carried out in Delhi also showed that this solution could be implemented in cases pertaining to rent control, motor vehicle accident cases, industrial and matrimonial disputes, he said.

Mr. Lokur said that the problem of arrears in courts would become more acute unless immediate corrective steps are taken. By improving infrastructure and facilities, it is possible to improve the capacity and efficiency of a judge he said.

Mr. Lokur suggested that the practice of using students and young lawyers as Law Clerks in the courts could also help in improving the situation.

Rajendra Singh Babu, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who presided over the function, said that lawyers' work consisted not only of interpreting law but also of active participation in the justice delivery system with the full knowledge that the legal problems.

Murali Bhandare, senior advocate of Supreme Court; A.G. Mulawadmath, Chairman of the State Bar Council, spoke. Chidanand Patil Principal welcomed the gathering.

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