Will the quality of justice improve by the creation of National Judicial Service?
National Judicial Service has been one of the most political-legal contentious issues in the judicial history of India. The debate has continued for years. On one hand the law ministry and the legislature intends to introduce the National Judicial Service in the country where as on the other hand the judiciary intends to postpone the same.
Why do judges oppose the commission of All India Judicial Service?
There are four basic ways of judicial appointments:-
1. By political institutions (Partially practiced in Italy and South Korea)
2. By judges themselves (Japan, Iraq and India)
3. By non-judge members (Brazil and Most American States)
4. Through Election (Some American States like Washington)
Presently in India, the appointment of district judges is done by the governor on consultation with High Court Judges by the purview Article 233(1) of the Indian Constitution. The Chief Justice of a High Court is consulted by the President before the appointment of any High Court Judge. These appointments are highly politicized and partial in many respects. The lower judiciary is under the dominance and control of the High Court. The district judges have to please the Chief Justice for their promotion as a High Court Judge. The commencement of Indian Judicial Service would surely decrease the power of High Court judges with reference to appointment and recruitment of judges.
When did it start?
The clause related to All India Judicial Service was incorporated in Article 312 (which deals with ALL INDIA SERVICES) by the 42nd Amendment, 1976. The clause specifically provides that Parliament in national interest may create judicial service for one or more states on request of the council of states. The provision clearly states that any post subordinate to district judge would not be included in the All India Judicial Service.
The creation of National Judicial Service is objected on three grounds:-
1. Impairment of Independence of Judiciary
2. Lack of regional language proficiency would affect the delivery of justice.
3. It would be deterrent to the interest of those who have already entered the service.
All the three contentions do not hold water. Appointments and recruitment would not affect the independence of judiciary rather it would ensure the autonomy of lower judiciary. Secondly, it is suggested that the issue of inadequate language knowledge can be easily addressed with proper allotment of states or study of multiple languages can be included as a part of judge-training. Lastly, since it is suggested that only 25% of judges in each state would be drawn from the All-India cadre; the same would not be detrimental to those already in service.
National Judicial System vis-a-vis Civil Services
The judiciary is not considered a lucrative career by most of the lawyers. The profession fails to attract a large number of competent lawyers. This adversely affects the quality of justice in the courts, which further results in delay of justice. In 2009 there were about 53,000 cases pending in SC, 40 lakh with High Courts and about 2.7 Crore in lower courts. The two main reasons for this high pendency of cases are High vacancy in courts and low judges-to-population ratio. In India the current judge-population ratio is 12.5 per million people where as in U.S. it is 114 per million. Presently 23% of sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court, 26% High Courts and 18% of Lower Courts is vacant.
Each year about 200,000 youngsters compete through an examination to enter services like I.A.S or I.P.S. The candidates are selected on merits and competency for a rigorous training of two years. If a similar system is also incorporated in the judicial services, well-qualified and competent lawyers could be attracted to the posts of judges. It would not only increase the judge-population ratio but would also improve the quality of justice.
really nice article on indian judicial system n the suggested improvements in near future..
thanks…
impressive !
nice !
keep writing more !
Thanks Dipp ….
Certainly not. JUdicial officers of All India Judicial Services will also come in the rank of Indian Civil Services and they will be highly corrupt. For want of proper legal education.proper trinng one cannot expect improvement in this field.
You have a valid argument for sure.. But the judicial recruitment definitely needs a lot of improvement. The issue must be pondered upon seriously by the legislators as well as the judiciary..
well written , I hope the national judicial service results in indepenndent judiciary at lower and trial courts especially in cases where CBI is the investingating agency…. in many cases such as arushi murder case, i felt the court cud have been more assertive and should nt have extended the fathers custody for so many days without any evidence ( even CBI admitted that they have no evidence ) and there by ruining his and his wife carrer and family
true.. judiciary must act responsibly in such cases… Independent judiciary at all levels of courts is necessary…
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A well written article…good critical analysis of the arguments going against the formation of National Judicial Services..Also, I’d like to make a point regarding what was said by #5 Namjoshi. The notion of judges becoming corrupt as soon as they enter the ICS is a hollow one as we do have corrupt judges even otherwise; irrespective of the ambit they serve under. The mode of classifying them as a seperate class will neither aggravate nor decimate the roots of corruption which are deeply entrenched in the fabric of the judicial system. A corrupt judicial officer shall be corrupt, notwithstanding his classification. If we are looking at creating judges of the highest calibre and acumen (which is the primary purpose for creating the judicial services anyway), then the concern should be routing out corruption first; before any concrete and meaningful steps can be taken further.
Thanks Smriti … I agree corruption in judiciary needs to be checked and adequate steps must be taken in this regard.
i agree with smriti and meghana,
National judicial service will ensure transperency in apponitment and also that meritorious get appointed as judges. Transperent and merit based system of appointment reduces corruption. Moreover a induction training of a year or more can be given on the lines of civil services. Then at least there wud be improvement in quality of orders. .. the present system of appointment is so intransparent and mysterious… people do not know how judges get appointed. and there is practically no training.
Well said Sreenivas, I think you have rightly pointed out the intent behind NJS..
Transperent and merit based system of appointment reduces corruption. Moreover a induction training of a year or more can be given on the lines of civil services.http://lawutsav.com/I hope it reaches your targetted audience. all the best thank you.
Enjoyed looking at this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
If a similar system is also incorporated in the judicial services, well-qualified and competent lawyers could be attracted to the posts of judges.
Appointments and recruitment would not affect the independence of judiciary rather it would ensure the autonomy of lower judiciary. Secondly, it is suggested that the issue of inadequate language knowledge can be easily addressed with proper allotment of states or study of multiple languages can be included as a part of judge-training. http://lawutsav.com/all-events/