About:
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- A centralised recruitment system for judges at additional district and district levels across the states.
- Article 312 provides for its establishment by a resolution passed by Rajya Sabha.
- It was first suggested by Chief Justice Conference in 1961.
- Also recommended by Law Commission in its reports in 1958 and 1971.
Advantages:
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- Uniformity and standardization
- Reducing pendency of cases (around 4 crore cases pending in district and subordinate courts)
- Low Judge to population ratio (around 19 judges per 10 lakh population as compared to Law Commission recommendation of 50 judges per 10 lakhs)
- Uniform distribution of talented pool
- Independent judiciary
Challenges:
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- Dilution of the federal structure
- Lack of consensus (only two high courts agreed to the idea while thirteen, were against it)
- Language issue as cases in lower courts argued in local language
Way forward:
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- Implement on pilot basis
- Flexible approach to adapt to local laws, languages and customs.
- Establishing a periodic review mechanism for impact assessment.
