Chief Justices’ Conference Agenda: Financial independence for judiciary, salaries, post-retirement benefits of HC judges

The agenda for the much hyped Chief Justices’ conference, which commenced today and will continue through tomorrow, has many interesting subjects on its plate. Certain issues which will be discussed in the conference might very well have remarkable ramifications.

One of the issue pertains to the salaries, emoluments and post-retirement benefits of judges of High Courts. Agenda nos. 4 and 5 set this out and read as follows:

“(4) Salaries and emoluments of serving Chief Justices/ Judges of the High Courts.

(5) Augmenting of post-retiral benefits of High Court Chief Justices/ Judges.”

Agenda no. 6 is equally interesting and relates to financial independence of judiciary. The same is set out below:

“6) Why financial independence should not be given to High Courts/ Judiciary?”

The Conference will also be privy to the discussion of one of the most debated topics in recent times – judicial appointments; and it is not just judicial appointments to higher judiciary that would be discussed. Agenda no. 11 pertains to a uniform procedure for appointment of District judges and reads as follows:

“(11) Uniform procedure for appointment of District judges: Creation of a Judicial Service Commission to help the Chief Justices of the High Courts in conducting a common written examination for recruitment to the post of District Judges.”

Further, as per Agenda 22, there will be a review of the selection process of Judges/ judicial officers at all levels. It would be interesting to see if this would include a review of the selection process of judges to High Courts and the Supreme Court, especially since the NJAC Act has received the assent of the President.

Deficiencies and anomalies in the functioning of subordinate judiciary, computerisation of courts and re-examination of judicial values are the other important subjects that will be discussed in the conference.

You can read the full agenda below.