Bar bodies foiled plan to rope in ex-judges: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India has expressed frustration over the failure to implement a 2021 directive to appoint retired judges as ad hoc high court judges to reduce massive case backlogs. Resistance from bar associations and the preference of retired judges for more lucrative private arbitration work have stalled the initiative.
Why it matters
The judicial backlog in India is a critical systemic issue, and this conflict highlights the tension between institutional reform and the interests of the legal professional class.
NEW DELHI: With case pendency exceeding 65 lakh in high courts, Supreme Court Thursday lamented that its 2021 judgement for re-engaging retired judges as ad hoc high court judges under Article 224A to speed up case disposal remained on paper, despite having been diluted, because of resistance from bar associations.Dealing with a case related to pension of judges, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the attempt to avail services of some retired judges with impeccable integrity to speed up disposal of cases in HCs has not fructified as bar associations are passing resolutions against such appointments.“Retired high court judges have established lucrative practices in Supreme Court or are enjoying better gains in conducting arbitration proceedings or in writing opinions.
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