Now,process on to make long-pending cases history

* The directive has made a schedule for judges,asking them to decide every month the oldest case (at least one) in his/her court and at least two cases involving senior citizens. Seeking disposal of at least two or three cases where the accused are behind the bars,the judicial note says,“Every judge should set target according to the work for disposal.”

* A unique way has been laid down to identify these cases: the colour of case file would now help judges know how old a particular case is. While all 10-year-old cases would have red-colour files,blue cover would connote five-year-old cases,and yellow for cases concerning senior citizens.

* Judges have been asked to keep with them a list of old cases on the dais so that it “constantly reminds” them about the need for quick disposal.

* Day-to-day basis trials should be encouraged and no adjournments should be given in cases where the accused languish in jails,it is proposed.

* The move aims at starting a “docket management system” in which a court would need to fix only those many cases that can be handled efficiently that day,and simultaneously ensuring that no judge has more than 500 cases in his/her court.

* To save time,the circular calls for posting of a judicial officer in a court near his/her house. Provisions for a permanent library and Internet connection in judges’ chambers have also been advocated.

* Judges have been asked to identify their training needs and make suitable requests to enable the judicial academy to provide all necessary help,as also training people in personality development and court and time management.

* To introduce a corporate culture in judiciary,the note prescribes for filling up of annual self-appraisal forms by judges,mentioning details of work,academics,and development programmes.

Measures for court staff