ADVISORY BODY ON USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

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RAJYA SABHA

The Department of Information Technology has constituted an Advisory Body with the approval of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and Hon’ble Minister of Communication & Information Technology on use of modern technology in Judicial system.

The Terms of Reference of the Advisory Body are as follows:-

1. To consider the expectations of the various stakeholders including judges, litigants, lawyers, the government, the law enforcement machinery, court employees, media, the public and other concerned parties from the judicial system of the country and to examine the manner in which modern Information and Communication Technologies could help to achieve them.
2. To suggest the overall vision for the use of Information and Communication Technology in courts across the country having regard to the above expectations of the various stakeholders in terms of convenience, transparency, ease of access, reliability and speed. The vision would take into account both global best practices and Indian conditions and needs.
3. To identify specific goals in relation to the overall vision that can be achieved within the short and medium terms (i.e. 2-4 years)
4. To determine the broad criteria for evaluation and monitoring the success of actual implementation with reference to the goals laid down.
5. To recommend a strategy for progressive implementation in the judicial system including the Supreme Court, High Courts, District and subordinate courts after considering such inputs from experts/consultants as considered necessary.
6. To suggest the most appropriate manner of funding the programme in order to ensure sustainability, replicability and consistent quality of service.
7. To communicate and propagate the vision to all sections of society likely to be impacted by the changes.
8. To recommend strategies to enhance access to the justice system particularly by the geographically, economically and socially disadvantaged sections of society through use of ICT.
9. To review at appropriate intervals and whenever required, the implementation with reference to the goals set and to amend, alter or enhance the vision and goals from time to time.
10. To alter the scope of Terms of Reference to the extent considered necessary from time to time in order to achieve the overall objective desired.
11. To advise the Committee of Judges on all the above issues.

This information was given by the Minister of Law and Justice and Commerce and industry, Shri Arun Jaitley in a written reply to a question by S/shri V.V.Raghavan and J.Chitharanjan in the Rajya Sabha today.