Will the burden of courts be reduced? CJI Surya Kant said – Court should become the center of solution, not just date and hearing.

Chief Justice Suryakant: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has said that the arbitration law is not a sign of weakness but of its great development. The CJI was addressing the conference ‘Mediation: How significant in the present-day context’ organized by the Indian International University of Legal Education and Research at Sankole village in South Goa on Friday.

During this program, the CJI said that the arbitration law is not a sign of weakness but of its great development. It is a process of moving from a culture of adjudication to a culture of participation, where we promote harmony.

‘Court should be the center for resolving disputes’

The CJI said that he envisions a court where the court is not just a place for hearing cases but is a comprehensive center for resolving disputes. Earlier the CJI participated in a symbolic walk for ‘arbitration awareness’ near the Academy of Arts in Panaji. He said that mediation is increasingly being accepted as a successful, cost-effective and win-win solution to disputes.

Compromise is not defeat, it is a strategy – CJI

The Chief Justice said that active efforts are being made in the Supreme Court to reduce the pressure on the lower courts by decisively disposing of cases involving long pending and repetitive issues. Describing mediation as an effective alternative to litigation, he said that compromise is not a defeat but a strategy. An appeal was made to the government to give up the trend of unnecessary appeals and to the lawyers to choose the appropriate forum. Along with this, Lok Adalats have been made a ‘successful Indian model of justice at the grassroots level’ Told.

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CJI Kant said that technology is an aid to justice, not a substitute for it. e-filingDigital summons and online case tracking may reduce delays, but any reform that excludes digitally deprived sections will not be a real reform. He said that the justice system cannot survive without adequate courts and resources. The need for special courts and special/exclusive courts for time bound trials for complex crimes was also emphasised.