Top judges discuss ways to reduce backlog

 New Delhi, April 3: A two-day conference of chief justices of the high courts on Friday began deliberations on the steps to be taken to reduce the backlog of more than three crore cases pending in courts and ensuring greater fincial autonomy for the judiciary. The conference convened by Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu also discussed the setting up of delay and arrear committees at the high court-level. Besides deliberating on the tiol Vision and Mission Plan for the justice sector for 2015-20, implementation of tiol Court Magement System and greater fincial autonomy and other issues, the conference reviewed the progress on the implementation of the decision taken at the last meeting of the chief justices held in April 2013. The conference that generated controversy for being held on Good Friday also deliberated on putting in place a uniform procedure for the appointment of district judges by creating Judicial Service Commission to help chief justices of high courts conducting a common written examition. The chief justices also discussed salaries and emoluments of sitting and retired judges, promotion and service conditions of judicial officers in the subordite judiciary, strengthening of legal aid services, alterte dispute settlement mechanism, judicial academies and the juvenile justice system. The 2013 conference of high court chief justices had decided that the tiol Court Magement System that was put in place in 2012 to “enhance the quality, responsiveness and timelines of the courts be implemented on uniform basis”.   (IANS)