CJI Surya Kant targets backlog with mediation and faster timelines
CJI Surya Kant targets backlog with mediation and faster timelines
Chief Justice Surya Kant outlines a two-pronged plan—mediation and timely litigation—to clear decades-old backlogs and make the Supreme Court more accessible to ordinary litigants.
At the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025, the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, emphasized that his first priority is to reduce the number of pending cases. He intends to rely on mediation and litigation as two key tools to clear the backlog, with a special focus on old cases that have lingered for years.
He noted that he has launched a mediation mission in the last six months and believes mediation, with cooperation from fellow judges, can become a popular option to ease courtroom stress.
On timelines and policy, he spoke of a predictable timeline and a national judicial policy geared toward early resolution. He said some reforms have already been made in the Supreme Court to prioritise matters requiring urgent attention and to list cases with clear timelines.
He also highlighted the need to sensitize district judiciaries to improve timelines and predictability across the judiciary, aiming to ensure that the Supreme Court remains accessible to the common man and that ordinary litigants get adequate space and time.
Cover image source: CJI Surya Kant says first priority is to reduce pending cases, shares detailed plan 🔗
