Steps needed to improve collegium system, says SC 

Steps needed to improve collegium system, says SC

What has happened?

Urgent measures are required to improve the collegium system of appointment of judges, including the setting up of an independent secretariat, the Supreme Court highlighted in a judgment on Wednesday

Main points of the judgment

• Corrective measures: “Corrective measures” needed to be taken against “post-appointment conduct or inadequate performance or failure to uphold righteous conduct” by sitting judges
• Implement recommendations of NJAC: The court ordered that the Centre should ensure that the new memorandum of procedure brought about the improvements recommended by the NJAC Bench
• No permanent Chief Justices in High Courts:
  • Various High Courts remained without permanent Chief Justices.
  • The Law Ministry website shows that seven High Courts have been making do with Acting Chief Justices for months on end High Court Chief Justices are appointed for a few days before they retire, serving no purpose to the cause of justice delivery
  • The court stressed the need for a “full-time”and independent body of experts to help in the appointment process