ContextAttorney General of India (AGI) K.K. Venugopal argued on the Constitution Day, for the revival of a 11-year-old proposal to set up National Courts of Appeal in four regions of the country.
Key Takeaways from AGI Statements
Intermediate appellate Courts: Attorney General said four ‘Courts of Appeal’ with 15 judges each could act as intermediate appellate courts between the State High Courts and the Supreme Court.
Utility of such Courts: They would absorb matrimonial disputes, rent control cases and such like which burden the Supreme Court, adding to pendency. The judgments of these courts of appeal would be final.
Increase in Judges Strength: These courts would also mean we are adding 60 judges who would be taking over these cases. Pendency would be cut down to a very great extent.
Unburden Supreme Court: Such intermediate court of appeals would unburden the Supreme Court, which could focus on interpreting constitutional questions of law, references, death sentence cases.
Better Jurisprudence: Supreme Court judges could hear cases leisurely, read and write better judgments with time on their hands when their work load is decreased.
Chances of Rationalising SC Strength: In fact, the Supreme Court would not need 34 judges. Just 15 would be ample. These judges of the Supreme Court could sit in three Constitution Benches.
Enhanced Access to Justice: It is noted that cases remain pending in the Supreme Court for 10 years. It would have reached the Supreme Court after spending a decade each at the trial and high court levels.
