National Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reform

In September 2011, the Union Cabinet had approved an ambitious programme that would usher in radical legal reforms aimed at, among other goals, disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years, and establishment of an All India Judicial Service. Known as the “National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms,” it seeks to operationalise a number of plans to ensure expeditious and quality justice. The Centre is committed to spending Rs. 5,510 crore in the next five years for the Mission. Here are some relevant notes:

Objectives

• National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms has been set up with the following objectives:
• Increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system
• Enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.

The Mission has been pursuing a coordinated approach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration which, inter alia, involves better infrastructure for courts including computerisation, increase in strength of subordinate judiciary, policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation, re-engineering of court procedure for quick disposal of cases and emphasis on human resource development. The National Mission has a time frame of five years (2011-16) to pursue them.

The Special Purpose Vehicle

National Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reform will be serviced by a Society registered under The Societies Registration Act, 1860. The said Society will act as a Special Purpose Vehicle (“SPV”). The SPV will define and implement an action plan to realize the vision of the National Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reform. This SPV will manage and implement the Vision prepared by the National Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reform and also service the Bar Council of India.