What is Virtual Court

In the wake of Coronavirus pandemic, the supreme court has passed direction for all courts across the country to extensively use video conference for a judicial proceeding It will not only reduce cost but also lead to speedy disposal of cases

• The supreme court exercised it’s  plenary power under article 142 to direct all high court to frame a mechanism for use of technology during a pandemic
• The supreme court is moving technological advancement for its functioning and is conducting hearings through video conference since March 25 ,to maintain. Social distancing
• Virtual court is a concept aimed at eliminating the presence of litigants or lawyers in the court and adjudication of cases online
• A virtual court means a location in which matters of law are adjudicated upon,in the presence of qualified judges and which has a well developed technical infrastructure

OBJECTIVE

• To develop install and implement a decision support system in court
• To automate the process to provide transparency and accountability of information to its stakeholders 
• To enhance judicial productivity both quantitatively and qualitatively,to make the court system affordable accessible and cost-effective

Videos for UPSC Preparation Check Now

ADVANTAGES

• It will ensure easy access to justice, an affordable court for all sections of society
• The productivity of court will increase substantially and long wait at the courtroom will become an exception than a norm
• If these facilities are extended to civil cases the efficiency will double

CHALLENGES

• The  virtual court will also prove to be cost intensive because setting up of state of the art e court will require the deployment of new-age technology
• Hacking and cybersecurity will be huge concern
• Change can erupt due to insufficient infrastructure and non-availability of electricity and internet connection

WAY FORWARD

• To address the challenge the first and foremost step is to draw up a policy for encouraging the setting up of e-court
• Another important step is the need to upgrade the present state of infrastructure.The government need to identify and develop infrastructure that would be required to support  virtual court programme

For admission and contact click here