June 11th 2024.
The Union Law Ministry in New Delhi has been diligently working on a national litigation policy that aims to speed up the resolution of pending cases. After numerous revisions, the policy document was finalized on Tuesday. The newly appointed Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, wasted no time and signed the document immediately upon taking charge. It is expected to be presented to the Union Cabinet for approval in the coming days.
Sources have revealed that the national litigation policy is a key priority for the Modi 3.0 government, and it has been included in their 100-day agenda. In a recent interaction with reporters, Meghwal emphasized the importance of faster justice for cases pending in various courts and tribunals. He assured that all stakeholders, including litigants and advocates, have been taken into consideration while drafting the policy document.
A senior official shared that Meghwal was particularly interested in the pendency of cases and made sure that the document addressed these concerns. In fact, it was the first file he signed upon taking office. The idea of a national litigation policy has been in the works for years, with previous governments also attempting to formulate one. However, it never came to fruition. In 2010, during the UPA II government, a similar policy was introduced by the then-law minister, M Veerappa Moily, but it never moved forward. The policy was not even presented to the Union Cabinet for approval.
The 2010 policy aimed to reduce the average pendency time of cases from 15 years to three years under the National Legal Mission. It recognized that the government and its agencies are the primary litigants in courts and tribunals in the country. The policy's vision was to transform the government into an efficient and responsible litigant, with a focus on upholding citizens' rights and fundamental principles.
When the Modi government came into power in 2014, the policy was revisited, and a new cabinet note was prepared. However, it has been pending since then. Former Union law secretary PK Malhotra stated that there has been a demand for a national litigation policy as frivolous cases are often filed by the government, leading to an increase in court pendency. He believes that the policy will help address this issue.
Meghwal also touched upon the topic of arbitration, stating that the government is working towards making India an arbitration hub. He questioned the need for Indians to go abroad for arbitration and mentioned that certain laws have been modified to support this goal. Interestingly, a national litigation policy has been a part of the BJP's manifesto since 2014, further highlighting its importance.
Overall, the national litigation policy aims to expedite the resolution of pending cases and create a more efficient and responsible government system. With the government's support, it is expected to have a significant impact on the country's legal system.
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