The 23rd Law Commission of India may appoint retired Supreme Court Justice Dinesh Maheshwari as its chairperson this week, following a seven-month vacancy. He will be joined by two new members, including Prof D P Verma. The Commission’s main task will be drafting the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for India.
Between 2018 and 2022, a total of 540 judges were appointed to various High Courts across India, according to the Law Ministry. Data reveals that 80% of these appointees belonged to upper castes. This highlights a significant caste imbalance in judicial appointments during the period. The figures have sparked discussions on diversity and representation in the judiciary.
The Law Ministry is seeking detailed data on arbitration cases involving the Indian government to evaluate current practices and explore amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1996. This request includes specifics like case value, arbitration seat, advocates involved, and fees, aimed at enhancing dispute resolution efficiency and identifying improvement areas.
Today, On 1st August, The Union Law Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that 83,798 cases are pending in the Supreme Court of India, while 6,002,383 cases await resolution in various High Courts. The backlog reflects the immense pressure on the judiciary, impacted by insufficient judges and procedural delays. Reforms and innovative solutions are needed to address this pressing issue.
The Law Ministry’s 100-day agenda includes integrating sunset clauses into new legislative proposals, aiming to automatically repeal laws of temporary nature. The initiative seeks to collaborate with relevant ministries and departments and aligns with the government’s broader agenda for infrastructure, healthcare, and economic reforms, aiming to drive growth and efficiency in various sectors.
A prominent advocacy group for thalassemia patients is calling for a unified blood law in India to improve transfusion services, ensure safe blood supply, and address current inefficiencies. They met with the Union Minister for Law and Justice to advocate for a comprehensive blood law, emphasizing the need for updated legislation to prevent transfusion-transmitted infections and improve healthcare infrastructure.
Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay formally resigned from the Calcutta High Court on March 5, 2024, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. His disillusionment with the TMC-led administration in West Bengal led to his decision. This rare transition from a high court judge to a political figure was confirmed by the Union Law Ministry.
The Supreme Court has directed the distribution of an expert committee’s report on proposed arbitration sector reforms to concerned parties by March 1, 2024. The Union government is yet to make a final decision on the report. This follows previous Supreme Court rulings and the establishment of a constitution bench to review the matter.
