Jurists call for all-out effort to reform judicial system

Call for common SAARC platform on judicial reforms
CHANDIGARH: March 14.2010
The two-day International Conference of jurists on Judicial Reforms concluded here today, with a call for a joint all-out effort by the stake-holders in the justice system. Addressing the valedictory function at the Law Bhawan auditorium, the Chief Justice of Maldives, Justice Abdulla Saeed, said that reforms cannot be brought single-handedly.
Giving an instance of recent judicial reform in Maldives on the sidelines of the conference, Justice Saeed said the Supreme Court in his country came into existence only in 2008, replacing the Judicial Council, thereby giving complete control of the justice system to the judiciary.
Justice Shamsuddin Choudhary, Judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, said that justice for all, particularly common people, can only be achieved through judicial activism. He said that the Bench and the Bar together form a mighty force, which was amply proved when this combination brought down the “despotic rule” of Gen Parvez Musharaf in Pakistan.
He called for more cooperation in this field in the SAARC region, since “we have common problems” and should address them from a common platform.
Justice Avdhesh Kumar Yadav, Judge of the Supreme Court of Nepal raised the issue of corruption in the system and said that no reform can be complete unless this issue is not tackled. He said that corruption was a common problem in the SAARC region.
The conference brought on one platform judges and jurists from India, Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal, apart from Ambassador of Iceland Gudmundur Eiriksson, who is a former judge of the International Court of Justice. All these participants have made their contribution to reforming the judicial system for delivering speedy justice.
Mr H S Mattewal, Advocate General of Punjab, called for making the judiciary more accountable as no other major constitutional post in the country goes without it either through election or selection.
Mr H S Hooda, Advocate General of Haryana, said the issue needs to be tackled through holistic and multi-pronged approach. He advocated putting in place alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like Lok Adalats, Gram Nyayalayas, family courts along with efficient and effective legal aid system.
Mr Pratap Singh, Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, welcome the guests and Mr Adish C Aggrawala, President of the International Council of Jurists and Chairman of the All-India Bar Association, thanked the participants for the successful completion of the conference.
During the two day deliberations, participants called for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, good governance, and reform of criminal investigation.