Jammu, February 27 (Scoop News) – Highlighting the universal role of judiciary as the ultimate arbiter of differences and disputes to dispense justice freely and promptly in a transparent manner, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Sunday said that enhancing the quality of adjudication ultimately aims at enhancing the quality of justice delivery system.
Addressing the valedictory function of 3-day Regional Judicial Conference (RJC) of North Zone at Zorawar Auditorium in Jammu University here, the Chief Minister said that common man holds judiciary in exalted trust and reposes deep confidence and faith in it.
“There is increasing worry in the country regarding burden of pending cases before various courts”, he said emphasizing the need of providing less expensive and speedy justice to sustain the confidence of people in judiciary. “Every effort should be made to address the concerns regarding speedy delivery of justice”, he said laying stress on the quality and efficiency in adjudication and justice delivery. “our anxiety for quick justice should not compromise or sacrifice the quality and efficiency of judgment”, he added.
Saying that quality management in the field of justice should be at the top of any government agenda, Omar said that initiatives aimed at quality judiciary strengthens the peoples’ confidence in justice. He said implementation of reliable and practicable initiatives increase the quality within the judicial system. “The efficiency of any system would depend on the kind of mechanism it has developed”, he said.
Omar Abdullah said that onus of quality of adjudication lies not only on the judges but on all the stakeholders including members of Bench and Bar and others in the process.
“In the matter of delivery of justice, the adjudicatory process is central. The process, be it traditional or any other alternative dispute resolution mechanism, must therefore be directed towards dispensation of justice”, he maintained.
The Chief Minister said that the Constitution lays down certain objectives for securing justice and these can be achieved by providing quality justice to the people.
“The State Government has taken very positive steps in this regard by making necessary amendments in the State laws, improving judicial infrastructure, filling of vacant posts of judicial officers, imparting training to the Public Prosecutors, etc. and undertaking larger capacity building efforts”, he said elaborating that the State Legislation Policy is being finalized shortly on the pattern of National Legislation Policy which will help in enhancing quality of justice and reducing the number of pending cases in the courts.
The Chief Minister said that the judicial officers of the State had to work and perform in very challenging conditions in the last more than two decades but they have by share dedication and commitment and kept the candle of justice burning against all odds.
Omar Abdullah expressed the hope that the Regional Conference on ‘Enhancing Quality of Adjudication’ will surely add input to the debate of quality management in the judicial system. “Learning from each other, developing partnerships, strengthening of the leadership aspect and setting up of effective supporting structure are proven elements in the successful implementation of improved quality”, he said adding that thrust should be on sharing best practices.
“I am confident that your introspective endeavours will generate a wealth of ideas on how to improve the administration of justice to render the greatest good to highest number of deprived in the largest measure. The challenges are enormous as public scrutiny of all State institutions including the judiciary has begun witnessing marked ascendancy. Hence, judicial independence and judicial accountability have to co-exist harmoniously”, he said.
In his valedictory speech the Senior Judge of Supreme Court, Justice Altamas Kabir identified factors and aspects contributing the process of enhancing quality of adjudication. He underscored the unified strategy of Bench and Bar members in the delivery of best judgments.
Saying that both sides of the judicial spectrum-Bench and Bar – should be fully prepared and knowledgeable to contribute for enhancing the quality of adjudication and dispensing of best judgments, he said. “Bar members have responsibility to assist the Bench in arriving at highest judicial pronouncements pointing out law provisions, recent trends and other relevant factors”. He said Bench should be clear, transparent in delivering the decisions which would be simply understandable and of best quality.
Justice Kabir also dwelt in detail about the IT Act and impressed upon the judicial officers to get fully acquainted with the provisions of this Act to deliver judgments effectively and qualitatively on various cyber crimes.
He also laid stress on resorting to the route of Lok Adalats and mutual settlements of disputes by the litigants to reduce the increased pressure on judicial officers due to large number of cases. “Such measures act as safety valve for the increased pressure”, he said.
Justice Kabir highlighted the role of Nation Judicial Academy of India in holding such conferences adding that it provides opportunity for continuous measures to address the need of enhancing quality of adjudication and other aspects confronting the judiciary across the country.
The Judges of Supreme Court, Justice B. S. Chauhan, Justice K. S. P. Radhakrishanan, Justice Swatanter Kumar, senior Judge of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Fakir Mohammad Ibrahim Khalifullah and Director of the National Judicial Academy, Mohan Gopal also spoke on the occasion.
The Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakroo, the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Justice Rebero, Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Law and Justice, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Judges of Jammu and Kashmir High Court and various High Courts of North Zone, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Advocate General, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Isaq Qadri, Secretary Law, and large number of judicial officers and advocates were present on the occasion.
On the occasion special number of Special Issue of SJA News Letter was released and certificates were presented to the judicial officers.