providing fast-track courts.
I also suggested several actions with particular reference to pendency in the high courts. These included the classification of cases on the basis of an age analysis, that is,identifying cases that are redundant because the subsequent generations are not interested in pursuing them.
Primary among my recommendations was the e-judiciary initiative. As part of this, I recommended computerization of the active case files, taking into account the age analysis, which will surely reduce the number of cases that are still pending. We needed a database that would track a case from the time it was registered till it was settled with a judgement. This electronic tracking would enable easy search, retrieval, grouping, information processing, judicial record processing and disposal of the cases in a transparent manner, and make the process quicker. The complainant can find out at any time at what stage the case is, in what court a hearing will be held and when, and which issues will be dealt with by the court, enabling him to be fully prepared for the case. Apart from bringing in total transparency, the judges would also be able to track the progress of the case, the number of adjournments that had been sought, whether the grounds for these were trivial or serious and other such information that would help in the delivery of justice.
Additionally, videoconferencing could be used in a big way. This would save an enormous amount of expenditure and the unnecessary movement of police personnel accompanying those under trial.
Videoconferencing is also very useful in cases where a number of individuals are accused. The witness identification and crime reconstruction areas have also immensely benefited from the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
Many countries, for example Singapore and Australia,have also been experimenting with Internet Courts and a legal consultation service that can advise potential litigants about the legal correctness of the case that he or she wishes to pursue. In all cases, the ICT had been useful in speedy redressal of the cases as well as in avoiding fraudulent cases. This in effect would contribute to speeding up our justice delivery system.
Finally, I gave the following nine suggestions, which will enable our judicial system to administer timely justice to our citizens.
1) Judges and members of the bar should consider how to limit the number of adjournments being sought.
2) E-judiciary must be implemented in our courts.
3) Cases should be classified and grouped according to their facts and relevant laws.
4) Experts in specialized branches of law such as military law, service matters, taxation and cyber law should be appointed as judges.
5) The quality of legal education in all our universities should be improved on the pattern of law schools.
6) An exemplary penalty should be imposed for seeking undue adjournments and initiating frivolous litigation.
7) Judges of high courts and district courts may follow the suggested model for the Supreme Court and enhance the number of cases decided by them by voluntarily working extra hours on working days and Saturdays.
8) ‘Multi sessions in courts’ should be instituted, with staggered timings, to enhance capacity utilization withadditional manpower and an empowered management tructure.
9) A National Litigation Pendency Clearance Mission should be created for a two-year operation for time-bound clearance of pending cases.
Over a period of time, I have found that our judiciary has taken note of these suggestions and has started their implementation in phases. For example, I was happy to hear of the settlement of a long-pending divorce case through videoconferencing; the husband was in India and the wife was in the United States.
India possesses one of the finest armed forces in the world, loyal, courageous and disciplined. The president is the supreme commander of the armed forces. In
Jessica Brooke, Ella Brooke