Tackling Case Backlog: The Supreme Court’s Approach to Prioritising Cases

Supreme Court’s Approach to Tackling Case Backlog

The Supreme Court has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to address the backlog issue:

A. Prioritisation of Cases

1. Constitutional Bench Matters:

   • Cases of constitutional importance, such as those involving fundamental rights, are prioritized. For instance, the Ayodhya land dispute case and the Sabarimala verdict were handled with urgency.

2. Old Cases:

   • Special efforts are made to dispose of cases that have been pending for more than 10 years.

3. Urgent Matters:

   • Cases involving life and liberty, such as habeas corpus petitions, are given precedence.

4. Impactful Cases:

   • Cases with significant socio-economic or national importance, like those dealing with environmental issues or public policy, are prioritized.

B. Adoption of Technology

1. Digital Filing:

   • The Supreme Court has introduced an e-filing system to streamline case submissions and reduce paperwork.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

   • AI-powered tools like SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency) help judges analyze documents and prioritize cases effectively.

3. Virtual Hearings:

   • The Court extensively uses video conferencing, especially post-COVID-19, to reduce delays caused by physical hearings.

C. Procedural Reforms

1. Streamlined Listing of Cases:

   • A more systematic approach to listing cases for hearing ensures that cases requiring urgent attention are not delayed.

2. Pre-Litigation Mediation:

   • Encouraging out-of-court settlements for civil disputes to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

3. Reducing Frivolous Litigation:

   • Imposing penalties on frivolous and repetitive petitions to discourage misuse of judicial resources.

D. Enhancing Judicial Capacity

1. Filling Vacancies:

   • The Supreme Court has urged the government and High Courts to expedite the appointment process for judges.

2. Increasing Bench Strength:

   • Efforts are being made to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court to handle more cases simultaneously.

3. Specialized Benches:

   • Establishment of Green Benches, Tax Benches, and Commercial Benches to handle specific categories of cases more efficiently.