JOIN USUnder the project, conceived far back in 2005, varying deadlines have been fixed to dispose of a wide category of cases. Accordingly, cases related to matrimonial disputes including property rights, claim for maintenance, child custody, conjugal rights will have to be cleared in nine months. Keeping in view the increasing number of divorce cases, it has been directed to settle dispose such petitions in one year.
Property disputes, claims for compensation, copyrights, patents and trademark petitions are required to be disposed of in 24 months. A 30-day deadline has been set for service of summons and notices from the court.
The plan also curbs administrative procedures in the open court. Appearance of advocates, filing vakalaths and objection statements, issue of notices, decision on referring disputes to arbitration and reconciliation etc., consumes over three hours of court time thus hindering hearing of cases.
Under the new system, a separate judge will attend to all these tasks at his office. The High Court has issued a circular to all the subordinate courts to comply with the system strictly.
The advocate fraternity has welcomed the plan aimed at speedy delivery of justice.
“Fixing deadline for disposal of cases is a welcome measure and so also the proposal to entrust administrative work to a separate judge. Advocates have to wait for hours for completion of routine procedures and this time would now be saved,” said A V Amaranthan, an advocate.