Judicial System Which Disposes Cases Quickly But Compromises Fairness Not Effective : Supreme Court Justice Vipul Pancholi

Supreme Court Justice Vipul M. Pancholi on Saturday (April 4) observed that a judicial system which disposes of cases quickly but compromises on fairness cannot be considered effective; equally, a system that produces flawless judgments after years of delay is also deficient.Justice Pancholi therefore underscored that the objective of the justice delivery system must not be speed at the cost of substance, but efficiency with integrity.The judge was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day Annual Conference of Judges of the District Judiciary on the theme "Re-shaping Dispensation of Justice: Transcending the Narratives", organized by the High Court in collaboration with the Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA). Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Supreme Court Justice NV Anjaria was also present.Addressing the gathering, Justice Pancholi noted that judicial officers function within a structured institutional framework and must recognize the structural tensions inherent in the justice delivery system."Cases that are simpler and quicker to dispose of may receive priority. Complex matters requiring detailed evidence, multiple witnesses or intricate legal reasoning may demand time, that is not always adequately accommodated within existing evaluation frameworks," he emphasized. However, he said, that is not a reflection on the dedication of judicial officers. "A judicial officer maybe compelled due to systemic incentives to prioritize numbers over complexity. The question before us is therefore is not whether judicial officers are committed. They undoubtedly are. The question is 'Are our systems designed to enable them to deliver meaningful justice?' The theme of this conference urges us to transcend the narrative. But what is this narrative? It is the narrative that pendency is inevitable, delay is unavoidable, and systemic constraints are unmanageable. To transcend this narrative is not to deny reality. It is to redefine it," Justice Pancholi said. He said that this requires us to shift from management of backlog to management of justice outcomes; from metric-driven efficiency to qualitative effectiveness; and from procedural compliance to substantive justice.Effective dispensation is not just about speed but also efficiency"Effective dispensation of justice must be understood not as speed alone, but as a balance of timelines, fairness, accessibility, transparency, and public confidence. A system which disposes of cases quickly but compromises on fairness is not effective. Similarly a system which produces flawless judgments after years of delay is equally deficient. The objective therefore is not speed at cost of substance but efficiency with integrity," he underscored. He said that the district judiciary occupies a position of foundational importance, as it is at this level that the court directly meets the citizen."It is here constitutional promises are translated into tangible outcomes. The district judiciary is where governance becomes reality. Infrastructure has improved; technology has been introduced; case management systems have evolved. Yet the core question remains: 'Has the experience of justice improved commensurately'?" the judge said.He clarified that this was not a question of criticism, but one of responsibility."We must recognize that the perception of justice today is shaped not only by the correctness of judgments, but by three interlinked factors: timelines, accessibility and responsiveness. A judgment delivered after inordinate delay, however legally sound, often fails to inspire confidence. Justice delayed, as we know, is justice diluted," the judge said.He further observed that there is growing public sensitivity towards pendency of cases, delays in adjudication, and the handling of sensitive matters. Cases involving women, children, and marginalized communities, he noted, carry a heightened sense of urgency and demand a particularly responsive judicial approach.Similarly, he added that grave offences, whether under special statutes or involving serious crimes, require judicial attention commensurate with their societal impact. At the same time, he pointed to a paradox within the justice delivery system: routine litigation such as cheque dishonour cases, civil disputes, and property matters continues to face prolonged timelines, leading citizens to increasingly question whether formal legal remedies are worth pursuing.He emphasized:"District judiciary officers are not merely adjudicators; they are custodians of trust. Every order passed, every adjournment granted, every interaction in the courtroom contributes to shaping public confidence in the judiciary."Justice Pancholi further underscored three qualities that define effective judicial conduct: sensitivity, discipline, and courage.Law And TechnologySpeaking about technological advancements in the justice delivery system, Justice Pancholi said that the introduction of digital tools,...

Judicial System Which Disposes Cases Quickly But Compromises Fairness Not Effective : Supreme Court Justice Vipul Pancholi

Malavika Prasad

The objective must be to balance efficiency with integrity, Justice Pancholi said.

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