Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts to discuss judicial reforms, pendency of cases

New Delhi: Judicial reforms to tackle over 2.6 crore cases pending in courts and ensure speedy trial would be among critical issues to be debated upon at a conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts beginning in New Delhi on Friday.

The three-day conference, to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, is likely to discuss ways to lessen pendency in courts and development of infrastructure besides ensuring expeditious trial.

"A comprehensive agenda has been drawn up for the Conference. With 2.64 crore undecided cases in the subordinate courts and 42 lakh cases in the High Courts, expeditious disposal of cases is the key issue to be discussed.

"To address this issue, the agenda includes discussion on development of infrastructure, undertaking judicial reforms, ICT enablement of courts and specific steps required for reduction of arrears and ensuring speedy trial," a release said.

While Chief Justice of India HL Dattu would preside over the conference, Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda would also address the gathering, it said.

The conference of the Chief Justices would discuss the issues such as "developing a National Vision and Mission Plan for the justice sector for 2015-20, salaries and emoluments of sitting and retired judges, promotion and service conditions of judicial officers in the subordinate judiciary and greater financial autonomy for the Indian judiciary."

Strengthening of legal aid services, alternate dispute settlement mechanism, judicial academies and juvenile justice system would also come up for discussion, the release said.

The conference, which is being held periodically to address "pressing issues relating to the administration of justice", was last held in April, 2013.

It further said the 14th Finance Commission has endorsed a number of activities aimed at improving the justice delivery system at an estimated cost of Rs 9,749 crore over the next five years.

The Conference is "expected to come up with definite outcomes in the form of resolutions for implementation by the judiciary and the Central & State governments," it said.