Supreme Court relaxes rules for High Courts to appoint ad-hoc judges
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Supreme Court relaxes rules for High Courts to appoint ad-hoc judges

Hindustan Times  

In a significant move to tackle pendency of criminal cases, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the high courts across the country to appoint retired HC judges on an ad-hoc basis, subject to conditions that they will only hear criminal appeals in a bench headed by a sitting judge. The 80% condition, however, prevented from appointing ad-hoc judges in several high courts such as the Allahabad high court, which currently has a working strength of 80 judges out of a sanctioned strength of 160. “For the present, each high court may appoint ad hoc judges by taking recourse to Article 224A between 2 to 5 in number but not exceeding 10% of the sanctioned strength,” the bench ordered. On January 21, the apex court had mooted the idea of bringing retired HC judges on board to serve as “ad-hoc” judges in high courts faced with “acute” pendency of criminal appeals, with data showing a staggering 63,000 criminal appeals pending in the Allahabad HC alone.

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History of this topic

Is appointing ad-hoc judges a viable means to reduce backlog?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Is appointing ad-hoc judges a viable means to reduce backlog?

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on January 30, 2025, permitted High Courts to appoint retired judges on an ad-hoc basis to address the mounting backlog of cases. Shadan Farasat: The Constitution allows for appointing ad-hoc judges in both the Supreme Court and High Courts for a reason. However, the government’s handling of regular judicial appointments remains a concern, with several deserving judges …

'Each Judge Has 15K-20K Matters' : Supreme Court Expresses Concern At Allahabad HC Case Pendency; Stresses On Need To Fill Vacancies
1 month, 3 weeks ago

'Each Judge Has 15K-20K Matters' : Supreme Court Expresses Concern At Allahabad HC Case Pendency; Stresses On Need To Fill Vacancies

Live Law  

The Supreme Court today disposed of a writ petition filed by 95-year-old petitioner seeking directions for the Allahabad High Court to take up her second Appeal pending since 2013 and decide the matter at the earliest. A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed that the order passed in the present writ petition shall be treated as a …

Why did the Supreme Court clear the decks for appointment of ad-hoc judges to High Courts? | Explained
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Why did the Supreme Court clear the decks for appointment of ad-hoc judges to High Courts? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: To address the growing backlog of criminal cases, the Supreme Court on January 30, 2025, allowed High Courts to appoint retired judges on an ad-hoc basis, provided they hear only criminal appeals as part of a Bench led by a sitting judge. In Lok Prahari, the Court identified specific circumstances that could warrant the appointment of …

Why has the Supreme Court cleared the decks for appointing retired High Court judges on an ad-hoc basis? | Explained
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Why has the Supreme Court cleared the decks for appointing retired High Court judges on an ad-hoc basis? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: To address the growing backlog of criminal cases, the Supreme Court on January 30, 2025, allowed High Courts to appoint retired judges on an ad-hoc basis, provided they hear only criminal appeals as part of a Bench led by a sitting judge. In Lok Prahari, the Court identified specific circumstances that could warrant the appointment of …

CJI & HC Chief Justices Meet To Discuss Evening Courts, Ad Hoc Judges; Supreme Court Holds Conference On State Judiciary Issues
1 month, 3 weeks ago

CJI & HC Chief Justices Meet To Discuss Evening Courts, Ad Hoc Judges; Supreme Court Holds Conference On State Judiciary Issues

Live Law  

The Chief Justice of India, two senior Supreme Court judges, High Court Chief Justices, and senior High Court judges met to discuss filling vacancies in High Courts, appointing ad-hoc judges, and establishing Evening Courts. CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Supreme Court Judges Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant led the discussions with the High Court Chief Justices and Judges. In …

With an eye on backlog, Supreme Court relaxes condition for appointment of ad hoc judges to HCs
Trending News
1 month, 4 weeks ago

With an eye on backlog, Supreme Court relaxes condition for appointment of ad hoc judges to HCs

The Hindu  

A Special Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Thursday relaxed a condition that ad hoc judges can be appointed to State High Courts only if their judicial vacancies crossed 20% of the sanctioned strength. Article 224A of the Constitution provides for the appointment of retired High Court judges as ad hoc judges. …

Explained| Ad Hoc Judges In High Courts : Procedure For Appointment & Tenure
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Explained| Ad Hoc Judges In High Courts : Procedure For Appointment & Tenure

Live Law  

To tackle the mounting pendency of criminal appeals, the Supreme Court in a significant order today relaxed the conditions of appointment of ad hoc judges in High Courts. The Court suspended the condition imposed in its 2021 judgment as per which ad hoc appointments can be made only if the vacancies in the High Court are more than 20% of …

Supreme Court Relaxes Conditions To Appoint Ad Hoc Judges In High Courts, Says Vacancies Needn't Be More Than 20%
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Supreme Court Relaxes Conditions To Appoint Ad Hoc Judges In High Courts, Says Vacancies Needn't Be More Than 20%

Live Law  

Relaxing the conditions to appoint ad hoc judges in High Courts, the Supreme Court on Thursday kept in abeyance the condition in its April 2021 judgment that ad hoc judges as per Article 224 of the Constitution can be appointed only if the vacancies are more than 20% of the sanctioned strength.As per Article 224A, retired High Court judges can …

Ad-hoc judges can be appointed to deal with criminal cases in HCs: Supreme Court
2 months ago

Ad-hoc judges can be appointed to deal with criminal cases in HCs: Supreme Court

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested the appointment of ad-hoc judges in high courts to deal with the huge pendency of criminal appeals. Gavai and Surya Kant referred to the data on pendency of criminal cases in several high courts and said in Allahabad High Court alone there were 63,000 criminal appeals pending. The bench said it could partly modify …

Supreme Court Proposes To Appoint Ad-Hoc Judges In High Courts With High Criminal Appeals Pendency
2 months, 1 week ago

Supreme Court Proposes To Appoint Ad-Hoc Judges In High Courts With High Criminal Appeals Pendency

Live Law  

The Supreme Court today proposed to modify its earlier decision which said that ad hoc judges can be appointed in High Courts only when vacancy is 20% or more of the total sanctioned strength of the High Court. The special bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justices BR Gavai and Suryakant was hearing the matter relating to the pending appointment …

Supreme Court stays HC verdict asking UP govt to prepare fresh selection list of 69000 assistant teachers
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court stays HC verdict asking UP govt to prepare fresh selection list of 69000 assistant teachers

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Allahabad High Court order asking the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a fresh selection list for the appointment of 69,000 assistant teachers in the state. The top court also stayed the HC verdict setting aside the selection lists of assistant teachers issued by the state authorities in June 2020 and January 2022, which …

357 High Court Judge Posts Vacant; 219 Proposals From HC Collegiums Being Processed: Union Law Ministry In Rajya Sabha
8 months ago

357 High Court Judge Posts Vacant; 219 Proposals From HC Collegiums Being Processed: Union Law Ministry In Rajya Sabha

Live Law  

Responding to a question tabled in the Rajya Sabha, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice today stated that as of July 19, 2024, against the sanctioned strength of 1114 Judges in various High Courts, 757 Judges are working and 357 posts of Judges are vacant.In comparison, in December last year, there were 324 vacancies out of the same sanctioned …

Ad-hocism in appointing judges of higher courts must stop
2 years, 2 months ago

Ad-hocism in appointing judges of higher courts must stop

The Hindu  

Published : Jan 26, 2023 10:35 IST Law Minister Kiren Rijiju fired another salvo recently by writing a letter to the Chief Justice of India “suggesting the inclusion of a government nominee in the decision-making process for shortlisting of judges” and asserting the “need for representation on a search-cum-evaluation committee for appointments of judges to the Supreme Court”. Law Minister …

Process to appoint ad hoc judges must be less cumbersome: Supreme Court
2 years, 3 months ago

Process to appoint ad hoc judges must be less cumbersome: Supreme Court

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Thursday suggested a less cumbersome and even "out-of-the-box" thinking, including roping in senior lawyers to act as ad hoc judges in High Courts, to meet the rising tide of pendency. A Bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said senior advocates in High Courts may not be willing to give up their lucrative legal practices permanently, …

'Many Eminent Lawyers Are Not Willing To Join The Bench But Are Ready To Work As Ad-Hoc Judges': Supreme Court
2 years, 3 months ago

'Many Eminent Lawyers Are Not Willing To Join The Bench But Are Ready To Work As Ad-Hoc Judges': Supreme Court

Live Law  

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, asked Senior Advocate, Mr. Arvind P. Datar and the Attorney General for India, Mr. R. Venkataramani to brainstorm and come up with a less cumbersome process to appoint ad-hoc judges in the High Court. While hearing two applications filed in the PIL preferred by NGO Lok Prahari seeking invocation of Article 224A for appointment of …

Article 224A : Supreme Court To Consider Centre's Status Report On Appointing Ad-Hoc HC Judges Tomorrow
2 years, 3 months ago

Article 224A : Supreme Court To Consider Centre's Status Report On Appointing Ad-Hoc HC Judges Tomorrow

Live Law  

At the request of the Union Government, the Supreme Court has deferred the hearing of the PIL preferred by the NGO, Lok Prahari seeking invocation of Article 224A of the Constitution of India for making ad-hoc appointments of judges to tackle the problem of mounting case arrears in High Courts till tomorrow. Article 224A enables a Chief Justice of a …

Supreme Court Seeks Status Report From Union On Appointment Of Ad-Hoc Judges In High Courts
2 years, 6 months ago

Supreme Court Seeks Status Report From Union On Appointment Of Ad-Hoc Judges In High Courts

Live Law  

The Supreme Court has sought a status report from the Union Government regarding the appointment of ad-hoc judges in High Courts under Article 224A of the Constitution.Article 224A enables a Chief Justice of a High Court, with the previous consent of the President, to request a former High Court judge to "sit and act as a judge" of the High …

Five High Courts Have 54% Share in Total Pending Cases of Over 57.51 Lakhs in 25 HCs: SC
3 years, 11 months ago

Five High Courts Have 54% Share in Total Pending Cases of Over 57.51 Lakhs in 25 HCs: SC

News 18  

Five High Courts –Allahabad, Punjab and Haryana, Madras, Bombay, and Rajasthan — have huge 54 per cent shares in over 57.51 lakh pending cases in 25 high courts of the country, the Supreme Court Tuesday said while paving way for appointment of ad-hoc judges to tackle docket explosion. The judgement, penned by the CJI, referred to the data of National …

'Article 224A Of Constitution A Salutary Provision' : Supreme Court Reserves Orders On Plea For Ad-Hoc Judges In High Court
3 years, 11 months ago

'Article 224A Of Constitution A Salutary Provision' : Supreme Court Reserves Orders On Plea For Ad-Hoc Judges In High Court

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved orders on a plea seeking appointment of ad-hoc judges in High Courts using Article 224A of the Constitution of India.A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said that the case will not be finally disposed off and interim orders in the nature of continuing mandamus will be passed.The bench, also …

Supreme Court Mulls Guidelines For Appointment Of Ad-Hoc Judges Under Article 224A; Seeks Views Of High Courts
3 years, 11 months ago

Supreme Court Mulls Guidelines For Appointment Of Ad-Hoc Judges Under Article 224A; Seeks Views Of High Courts

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it was intending to lay down guidelines for the appointment of ad-hoc judges in the High Courts under Article 224A of the Constitution to tackle the problem of mounting case arrears.While considering a PIL filed by an NGO named Lok Prahari seeking the use of Article 224A, a bench comprising Chief Justice of …

Nearly 40% Sanctioned Posts Of HC Judges Vacant: SC Seeks AG's Help For Prompt Appointments Of Judges At All Levels
5 years, 4 months ago

Nearly 40% Sanctioned Posts Of HC Judges Vacant: SC Seeks AG's Help For Prompt Appointments Of Judges At All Levels

Live Law  

The observations by a two judges bench of the Supreme Court in a recent order seem to be in variance with the claims of the CJI-designate Justice S A Bobde that the Central Government was not delaying judicial appointments.A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K M Joseph took note of the alarming increase in vacancies of High Court …

Ad hoc judicial appointments affecting economy even as India's high courts lack 37% of required judges
7 years, 1 month ago

Ad hoc judicial appointments affecting economy even as India's high courts lack 37% of required judges

Firstpost  

High courts nationwide are 37 percent short of judges, and ad hoc appointments–not posting judges to courts that need them most–are worsening delays and affecting India’s economy, according to our analysis of data released by the department of justice. By Shobhit Mathur and Pallabi Mandal New Delhi: High courts nationwide are 37 percent short of judges, and ad hoc appointments–not …

Put on hold lawyers elevation as HC judge: Collegium to govt
7 years, 9 months ago

Put on hold lawyers elevation as HC judge: Collegium to govt

India TV News  

Put on hold lawyers elevation as HC judge: Collegium to govt The Supreme Court collegium is learnt to have asked the government to put on hold the process of appointing an Uttar Pradesh lawyer as a judge of the Allahabad High Court after it found that the candidate is facing a criminal case. New Delhi: The Supreme Court collegium is …

11 new judges appointed for high court in Madras, Chhattisgarh, Punjab
7 years, 9 months ago

11 new judges appointed for high court in Madras, Chhattisgarh, Punjab

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Eleven judges to three high courts have been appointed. The fresh appointments -- six in the Madras High Court, three in the high court of Chhattisgarh and two in Punjab and Haryana-- come at a time when the government and the judiciary continue to have differences over a key document which guides nomination of judges to the Supreme …

Centre Returns 13 Names For Appointment To Allahabad HC, Despite Iteration By Collegium
8 years, 2 months ago

Centre Returns 13 Names For Appointment To Allahabad HC, Despite Iteration By Collegium

Live Law  

The Centre on Monday reportedly returned the names of 13 Judges recommended by the Supreme Court collegium which had already iterated appointment of these Judges for Allahabad High Court.The Collegium was asked to reconsider the recommendations, with Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi telling a bench led by outgoing Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur that they had found “certain inconsistencies” in the …

Madras HC adjourns plea to appoint ad-hoc judges to reduce pendency [Read Petition]
8 years, 6 months ago

Madras HC adjourns plea to appoint ad-hoc judges to reduce pendency [Read Petition]

Live Law  

The Madras High Court has adjourned the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by Chennai-based lawyer VBR Menon seeking the appointment of adequate number of ad-hoc high court judges under Article 224-A of the Constitution at the Principal and Madurai Benches of Madras High Court to reduce the huge backlog of pending cases.The Bench comprising of Justice Huluvadi G …

Madras HC adjourns plea to appoint ad-hoc judges to reduce pendency [Read Petition]
8 years, 6 months ago

Madras HC adjourns plea to appoint ad-hoc judges to reduce pendency [Read Petition]

Live Law  

The Madras High Court has adjourned the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by Chennai-based lawyer VBR Menon seeking the appointment of adequate number of ad-hoc high court judges under Article 224-A of the Constitution at the Principal and Madurai Benches of Madras High Court to reduce the huge backlog of pending cases.The Bench comprising of Justice Huluvadi G …

Appointment of HC Judges: 15 HCs forward 223 recommendations to Government
8 years, 8 months ago

Appointment of HC Judges: 15 HCs forward 223 recommendations to Government

Live Law  

With the High Courts of the country functioning at around 55% of their total approved strength, 15 High Courts have forwarded names of 223 candidates to the Government, for appointment as Judges. The 15 High Courts include that of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, Allahabad, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gauhati and Bombay.The. Mr. Singhvi condemned the attempts by Government “to obstruct judicial appointments …

Appointment of HC Judges: Government forwards 78 names to Supreme Court Collegium
8 years, 8 months ago

Appointment of HC Judges: Government forwards 78 names to Supreme Court Collegium

Live Law  

With the High Courts of the country functioning at around 55% of their total approved strength, the Centre has forwarded to the Supreme Court collegium names of 78 persons from State Judicial Services and the Bar, for appointment as Judges.The recommendations made by various State collegiums have reportedly been forwarded to the Apex Court collegium in two sets of 57 …

Fast track Court Judges appointed on Ad hoc basis have no right for regular promotion: SC [Read Judgment]
8 years, 8 months ago

Fast track Court Judges appointed on Ad hoc basis have no right for regular promotion: SC [Read Judgment]

Live Law  

The Supreme Court of India in V. Venkata Prasad & Ors. has held that that the appointments in respect of Fast Track Courts are ad hoc in nature and no right is to accrue to such recruits promoted/posted on ad hoc basis from the lower judiciary for the regular promotion on the basis of such appointment.The appellants while functioning as …

Retired judges to be reappointed to tackle pending cases: CJI Thakur
8 years, 11 months ago

Retired judges to be reappointed to tackle pending cases: CJI Thakur

India TV News  

New Delhi: In a significant step to tackle mounting cases, a conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts on Sunday adopted a resolution to invoke a constitutional provision to appoint retired judicial officers as ad hoc judges. Chief Justice of India TS Thakur announced that the conference adopted a resolution that Article 224 A will be invoked …

Three crore cases pending before judiciary, retd. officers to work as ad hoc judges
8 years, 11 months ago

Three crore cases pending before judiciary, retd. officers to work as ad hoc judges

India TV News  

Three crore cases pending before judiciary, retd. officers to work as ad hoc judges New Delhi: In a significant step to tackle mounting cases, a conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts today adopted a resolution to invoke a constitutional provision to appoint retired judicial officers New Delhi: In a significant step to tackle mounting cases, a …

7 Judges Bench of Allahabad HC directs the Govt. to enhance the strength of Judges by 25% in Lower Judiciary [Read Judgment]
9 years, 4 months ago

7 Judges Bench of Allahabad HC directs the Govt. to enhance the strength of Judges by 25% in Lower Judiciary [Read Judgment]

Live Law  

In a matter of Reference to ensure the security in district courts across the state of Uttar Pradesh, a seven-judge bench of Allahabad High Court directed the state government to enhance the strength of judges in lower judiciary by 25% by the next year. The bench, headed by the Chief Justice directed the state government to complete the security work …

7 Judges Bench of Allahabad HC directs the Govt. to enhance the strength of Judges by 25% in Lower Judiciary [Read Judgment]
9 years, 4 months ago

7 Judges Bench of Allahabad HC directs the Govt. to enhance the strength of Judges by 25% in Lower Judiciary [Read Judgment]

Live Law  

In a matter of Reference to ensure the security in district courts across the state of Uttar Pradesh, a seven-judge bench of Allahabad High Court directed the state government to enhance the strength of judges in lower judiciary by 25% by the next year. The bench, headed by the Chief Justice directed the state government to complete the security work …

More judges for Delhi High Court not possible without Infrastructural Developments
10 years, 8 months ago

More judges for Delhi High Court not possible without Infrastructural Developments

Live Law  

Infrastructure has always been a hurdle for any kind of development to reduce the ever increasing backlog of cases. The centre has come to this realization now, with the Delhi High Court informing the Government that its ambitious plan to increase the strength of judges to 60 would require a proportionate improvement in infrastructure, staff and other facilities.TOI quotes a …

More judges for Delhi High Court not possible without Infrastructural Developments
10 years, 8 months ago

More judges for Delhi High Court not possible without Infrastructural Developments

Live Law  

Infrastructure has always been a hurdle for any kind of development to reduce the ever increasing backlog of cases. The centre has come to this realization now, with the Delhi High Court informing the Government that its ambitious plan to increase the strength of judges to 60 would require a proportionate improvement in infrastructure, staff and other facilities.TOI quotes a …

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