Podcast
When talking about judicial reforms, one phrase always comes up: “Clear the backlog.” Politicians promise it, the media emphasises it, and reforms are often reduced to numbers. But first, let’s pause and ask:
👉 Will India’s legal system suddenly become fair, trustworthy, and efficient if millions of cases are just settled? Definitely not. Since backlog is only a symptom, the underlying illness is far more serious.
The Roots of Delay Nobody Talks About
Why do cases take decades to resolve, sometimes outlasting the parties involved? The truth lies in systemic flaws as well as “pending numbers”:
- In India, there are only 21 judges for every million people, while in the United States, there are 107 judges.
- Procedural Maze: Outdated laws, lengthy adjournments, and antiquated filing make trials drag.
- Weak Infrastructure: Many courts continue to function without adequate personnel, digitisation, or cutting-edge research instruments.
Litigation Culture: People file cases for everything, from small-scale cheque bounces to family property disputes.
Therefore, backlog is not the issue. It is a sign of a system that is overburdened and unprepared.
Why “Backlog Clearance” Is Just Cosmetic
Think about a hospital that is overcrowded. If doctors quickly released them without giving them the care they needed, would anyone think that this was healthcare reform?
That’s what “clear the backlog” campaigns do. Even if millions of cases were settled in a year, the courts would be flooded with new cases the very next day. Like weeds in an untended garden, backlogs will continue to exist in the absence of meaningful reforms.
Innovative Solutions: Rethinking Indian Justice
If we want justice to be faster and fairer, we need bold, innovative reforms:
1. AI-Powered Courts of the Future
Smart dashboards to prioritize cases.
AI-generated first drafts of judgments for routine matters (traffic challans, cheque bounce).
Predictive analytics to allocate cases to the right benches.
2. Mandatory Mediation First
Family disputes, petty financial cases, and small property conflicts should go to mediation before courts. This alone could slash case inflow by millions annually.
3. Specialized Justice Tracks
Weekend courts for traffic and cheque bounce matters.
Online fast-track panels for e-commerce and consumer disputes.
Dedicated family courts with hybrid mediation-litigation models.
4. Digital-First Judiciary
From e-filing to paperless trials, courts should function with the same digital ease as online banking. No one should need 5 photocopies of one affidavit in 2025.
5. Legal Literacy for Citizens
Half the cases could be prevented if citizens were aware of their rights, basic contracts, and alternative remedies. Law must be made accessible, not intimidating.
Beyond Numbers: Justice as a Human Experience
Justice is not about statistics or clearance drives. It’s about ensuring that when a citizen enters a courtroom, they believe:
Their case will be heard fairly.
The verdict won’t take a lifetime.
The system is built to serve, not delay.
This vision cannot come from backlog clearance alone. It requires a structural transformation of Indian justice.
Final Word: A Generation That Can Change It
Whether India’s justice system stays a backlog or develops into a world-class model of justice will be determined by the upcoming generation of judges, solicitors and legislators.
And Edzorb Law is your best friend if you wish to participate in that change.
📲 Transform Your Prep with Edzorb Law
You not only prepare, but you prepare more intelligently when you use Edzorb Law:
- Planners for effective learning
- Mock exams with a judicial focus to improve strategy
- Visual Learning Notes to help with recall
- Toppers’ case law digests and flashcards
👉 Get the Edzorb Law App Now and begin studying to change the course of Indian justice in the future, not just to ace exams.
Features
8 Months
