Court Managers, disability access et al: Here’s how the SC wants to revamp court infrastructure

The Supreme Court today issued detailed directions with a view to revamping judicial infrastructure and the quality of justice administration in courts across the country..Notably, the Court has directed that professionally qualified Court managers, preferably with an MBA degree, be appointed in judicial districts to assist in court administration..The Court noted that such court managers would help in identifying the weaknesses in the court management systems and recommend workable steps for rectifying the same..It was further directed that the services of any person already working as a Court Manager in any district should be regularised by the State Government, as their assistance is needed for a proper administrative setup in a court..The Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud passed the order in an interlocutory application pertaining to the infrastructure of Indian courts, particularly the subordinate courts..The Bench passed the order after noting that improving the quality of judicial infrastructure is an area that continues to be neglected, despite its importance in the administration of justice..“It brings us to the focal point, i.e., judicial infrastructure which has been given relatively low importance, if not long neglected. That needs an overhaul. .… strengthening of court infrastructure requires immediate attention in the form of planning, enhanced budgeting and structured implementation or execution of the plans. Presently, most of the States are making budgetary provision as low as less than 1% of their total budget for the judiciary.”.The Court was also prompted to declare that the provision of basic infrastructural facilities in all court complexes is essential, as infrastructure forms the core for efficient and efficacious dispensation of speedy and qualitative justice..To this end, the order has detailed essential building/structural components that should be part of the court complex under the following heads:.Court Buildings (Courtrooms, judges chambers, Litigants’ waiting area, Administrative offices, Mediation Centre, Canteens etc.)Space for Lawyers and Litigants (Bar rooms for ladies and gents, Consultation rooms, Library, Canteen, Stamp vendors/Notaries/Photocopy etc.)Facility Centre (providing for common facilities such as bank, post office, medical facility, disaster management, etc.)Utility Block (for accommodating the utility services such as C.plant, electrical sub¬station, DG set/Solar panel, STP, Repair workshop, storage, garage, etc)Judicial LockupsStrong Room for Record PreservationParking ServicesIT Infrastructure for Computerisation and e-Courts.Further, the general amenities which should be provided within the court complex has also been addressed in some detail. The directions issued in this regard are summarised below..The Court complex should have basic amenities including seating, lighting, air-conditioning, drinking water, adequate restrooms for men, women, transgenders and differently abled persons, canteens selling food and drink at nominal rates etc. The Court noted that “If these are missing in our court complexes, it would be an appalling situation which requires immediate rectification.”Court complexes should be conducive and friendly for the differently abled. Ramps for such categories of persons must be operable, feasible, tried and tested. They should have steel railings and handles. For visually impaired persons, court complexes must have tactile pavements and signage in braille.To ease the guidance of the public there must be maps and floor plans of the entire court complex at entry and exit points and visible signage and directional arrows with colour coding throughout the court premises. Further, all court premises must establish a working and fully operational help desk at major alighting points with trained court staff.Sufficient number of functional electronic case display systems for litigants and lawyers with the feature of automatic update in every ten seconds.Court premises must have sufficient and proper parking space. All upcoming court complexes must have provision for both sufficient underground and surface parking facilities segregated into four broad categories. for judges, court staff, lawyers and litigants. For existing court complexes, the possibility and feasibility of constructing underground or multi-level parking facilities must be explored.The court premises must have easy access at both entry and exit points. End to end connectivity of public transport systems must be ensured.Better crowd management arrangements should be ensured along with adequate security measures.Creche facility at nominal rates for toddlers, falling within the age group of 6 months to 6 years, of lawyers, clerks of lawyers, bar association staff and officers and employees of court registry must also be constructed. Such facility has to be both functional as well as effective with proper space and equipment The courts should have a proper atmosphere for children and vulnerable witnesses.Professionally qualified court managers, preferably with an MBA degree, must be appointed to render assistance in performing the court administration. The said post of Court managers must be created in each judicial district for assisting Principal District and Sessions Judges. Such Court Managers would enable the District Judges to devote more time to their core work, that is, judicial functions.Adequate residential accommodation in the proximity of court complexes for judicial officers and court staff must be provided.Solar power installation in each of the district court premises initially and thereafter, the same should spread to all other courts.CCTV cameras should be placed at proper locations within the court complex.Video conferencing equipment and connectivity to jails shall be provided at the earliest.The district court complex should have a dispensary with adequate medical staff and equipment..A copy of the order is to be sent to the Chief Secretaries of each state, with a direction to constitute a Committee including the Secretary of the Law Department, to formulate a development plan in light of the above recommendations. Following this, the Committee is required to submit a status report to the Court so that further directions can be issued..Before parting with the order, the Court also called for the prompt implementation of these reforms,.“Prompt measures are to be undertaken and procrastination in these matters cannot brook delay where Rule of Law is supreme.”.The matter will be taken up next on August 23..Read the order: