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Department of JusticeMinistry of Law and Justice
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Guidelines of the.Scheme for Action Researchand Studie.son
Judicial Reforms
Under the Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial
Reforms, financialassistance shall be extended for undertaking
action research levaluation / monitoringstudies, organiSingseminars
/ conferences / workshops, capacity building for research
andmonitoring activities, publication of report/material, promotion
of innovativepto,grammes/actil1lliesin the areas of Justice
Delivery, legal Research and judicialReforms.
Objectives:The objectives of the scheme are to promote research
and studies on the issues related tothe National Mission for
Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms being implemented by
theDepartmentof Justice.
Projec~/Activities· eligible for financial assletance:Financial
assistance shall be given to the eligible implementing agencies by
theDepartment of Justice for the following projects/activities in
the fields of Justice Delivery,Legal Resean:~hand Judicial
Reforms:
o To undertake action research I evaluation studieS.o To
organise seminars I workshops / conferences.o To underfake capacity
blilildingactivity for research and monitoring activities.o To
undertake publication of report/material.o To undertake promotion
of innovative programmes/activities.o To undertake any other
project/activity for the promotion of issues related to the
National Mission to be decided by the Project Sanctioning
Committee.
Elig1ble Implementing agencie.sIndian Institute of Public
Administration, Administrative Staff College of India,
IndianInstitute/s of Management, Indian Law Institute, National Law
Universities, NationalCouncil of Applied Economic Research,
National Judicial Academy, StateJudicialAcademies and other reputed
institutions working in the field of justice delivery,legal
education and research and judicial reforms.
The Project Sanctioning Committee shall be empowered to allow
any Government orGovernment ald~d Institute/Organisationas eligible
implementing agency, if found suitablefor
undertakingprpjecVactivity permissible under the scheme.
Pattern of AS$istanceFinancial assistance shall be given, on
agreed terms and conditions, to the eligibleimplementing agency on
the basis of Project Proposal submitted by such
agencyindlcatin,gtheproject cost. The financial assistance may be
given in instalments and atleast 10%of the project cost may be kept
for payment as final instalment-on acceptance ofthe final project
report by the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal
Reforms,Department of Justice. The financial assistance would be
limited to actual expenditureincurred by the grantee institution,
subject to overall ceiling of Rs.2S.00 lakhs.lnexceptional cases,
however, where the scope of the Project is sufficiently wide,
samplesize is large and Project is for longer duration, the Project
Sanctioning Committee mayrelax this ceiling,
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... 2 ...P,roject ProposalThe project proposal shall be invited
by the National Mission for Justice Delivery and LegalReforms,
Department of Justice from the selected implementing agencies for
identifiedsubjects: which shall include following information as
terms and conditions of the project:
• Title'0ftbe preject;• Nc;rrheaf the implementing agency:•
Details of Principal Coordinator (Name, Designation and Research
Experience):• Objectives:• Methedology:• Duration (with specific
timelines for initiation of project, submission of interim
progressreport, presentation before submission of final report and
submission of final report) :
• Project cost, with detailed break up:
Project Sanctioning CommitteeAll 'projeGt proposals shall be
placed before the Project Sanctioning Committee forconsideration
and approval. The composition of the Project Sanctioninq Committee
shallbe,as under:Secretary, Department of JusticeAdditional
Secretary & Financial Advisor, DoJSecretary General, Supreme
CourtJoint Secretary and Mission Director, DoJJoint ~c(etary, Law
Commission of IndiaDiteqter •.lndlan Law Instituteo.ll(6ctor,
National jl:ldicial AcademyDirectorJD~puty Secretary (National
Mission), DoJ
ChairmanMemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMember Secretary
While considering the proposals from Indian Law Institute (Ill)
and National JudicialAcademy (NJA), the Directorsof the concerned
Institute / Academy shall recuse fromdeliberations of Project
Sanctioning Committee in respect of their proposals.
Procedure' for Approval of the ProjectThe hwited proposals from
the selected institutes/organisations on the identified
subjectsshall be placed before Project Sanctioning Committee for
consideration and approval. Thedecision of Project Sanctioning
Committee shall be final and binding. The approvedProject Proposals
shall then be submitted to the Integrated Finance Division of
Ministry ofLaw and dustice for approving the projectls and release
of funds. Each instalment shall bereleased on the approval of
Integrated Finance Division.
Utilisation CertificateThe implementing agency shall be required
to submit Utilisation Certificate, as prescribedby the Department
of Justice, for the funds received from the Department of Justice
forundertaking the project.
Dispute Redr
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AN INDICATIVE LIST OF TOPICS FOR ACTION RESEARCH AND STUDIES
ONJUDICIAL REFORMS WHICH COULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY LAW
UNIVERSITIES
1. Study on major bottlenecks in procedural laws affecting
expeditious conclusion of criminaltrials and measures needed to
remove such bottlenecks.
2., Study on implementation of Section 89 of Code of Civil
Procedure relating to use of ADRmechanisms for early and effective
resolution of civil disputes.
3. Development of a scientific framework for measuring the
performance parameters ofsubordinate courts.
4. Impact assessment of computerization of courts in reducing
pendency and improving justicedelivery .
. 5.. Identifying the bottlenecks responsible for causing delay
in disposal of civil cases in courts andpossible policy and
procedural changes necessary for reduction of pendency.
6. A study on Court Management techniques for improving the
efficiency of subordinate courts.
7. A study to identify constraints and challenges in
implementation of provision relating to pleabargaining in Code of
Criminal Procedure and to suggest measures for their effectiveimp
lementation.
8. Re-engineering procedures of process service for reducing
delays in court proceedings.
9. Improving effectiveness of Gram Nyayalayas and accelerating
the implementation of GramNyayalayas Scheme.
10. An assessment on implementation of legislative provisions
contained in Code of CriminalProcedure and other laws for
protection of under trials and other marginalized sections of
society.
11. Role of Clinical Legal Education in improving the quality of
legal education and increasingaccess to justice to the
marginalized.
12.Role of Audio-Video recording of court proceedings in
increasing transparency and efficiencyof judicial systems.
13. Study to recommend changes in the existing legal education
system inIndia and existing system of admission of lawyers to the
bar including other bar reforms.
14. Comparative study of international best practices in the
role of continuing legal education intraining of practicing
advocates.
15. Analysis of causes for pendency and classification of cases
pending in HighCourts/Subordinate Courts.
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• AN lNDICATIVE LIST OF 'TOPICS FOR ACTION RESEARCH AND STUDIES
ONJUDICIAL REFORMS
R d P d1. e· ucmg en ency -,SI. No. Topics1 Assessing the
potential of data analytics to interpret large scale judicial
dat~
and assist in judicial reform.2 Evaluating the impact of
tribunalisation of Judiciary and its consequences Oln
. '. majmtai.('lir;t~;pmdupholding the Rule of Law on the
touchstone of justic~ .3 Sfl:JC'iesto reduce procedures that
results in fresh service of notice and
consequent delays4 Studies to assess the feasibility for
recording of deposition of witness and for
.the transcription thereof through institutional backend
processing to reduce 1 !
the time spend for trial of individual cases in the lower
judiciary5 To study the feasibility of integrating the process for
execution of decrees with
, that of the process for award of judgment and decree to
increase the pace fOL ' 1::(1'the final settlement of the lis.
6 To study the infirmities in respect of integrating new
generation legislation withthe existing institutional structures
for prosecution and adjudication to preventduplication and to
prevent ambiguities in jurisdiction
7 To study on improving the effectiveness of the prosecution
system ill criminalcourts for effective delivery of justice _j_
8 To study the feasibility of introducing multiple shifts in the
lower judiciar;y:1
using services of adjunct judges or otherwise to improve
efficiency' iFl'disposal ,;A'"of cases ----
9 To study on identifying the bottlenecks in the reporting and
filling of vacanciesin the judiciary and 0 suggest suitable
remedial measures '
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to A separate and in-depth research on Tribunals dealing with
disputes ariSIngunder federal laws, including recruitment and
tenure norms; infrastruettJreaudit; analysis and audit of
performance, in particular assessmentlof,::
1""qualitative performance; desirability of bringing all Central
Tribunals withim a,common administrative machinery/framework;
re-visiting prescription' ofeligibility norms for presiding
officers In a domain specific context; andcognate areas is equally
necessary.
11 Study on Lower Judiciary-How to ensure expeditious disposal
of cases
h2. li:n, anclng Judicial Performance jSLNo. '. Topics
12 To study the need for performance based appraisal to be
introduced forelevating personnel from the lower judiciary to
higher judiciary to increaseefficiency of the judicial system
13 ' Study on development of infrastructure of the Judiciary-How
to ensure fastdevelopment of human and physical infrastructure of
the judiciary
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3. Reforms in Procedural Laws51. No. Topics
14 Devising measures to promote the effectiveness and efficiency
of CriminalJustice System in all its fields, i.e. tnvestioation,
prosecution and trial;
15 Re-engineering procedures of process service for reducing
delays in courtproceedings:
a. Studies to assess feasibility of entrusting serviceb. Studies
to assess feasibility for introduction of computerized
casemanagement procedures to enhance speed in service of
process
16 To study the need to streamline the provisions in relation to
Section 114 ACr.P.C. to ensure better deterrence against jumping of
bail and to identifyand eliminate the practical difficulties
associated with implementing thecurrent procedure
17 Review of the impact of scheme of 'Plea Bargaining' in
Criminal JusticeSystem including jail reform and its advantages and
disadvantages.
18 An assessment of the need for witness identity protection and
witnessprotection programmes; existing schemes, their impact and
future need.
19 Measuring the impact of 2013 amendments in Criminal Law20
Study of Victims of different categories of crime and their
experience with
the adjudication process21 Inter State comparison of
adjudication of civil and criminal cases22 Study of Bail Law
Reforms23 An Empiricla Study of Implementation of 'Arrest Law' in
select cases ..~24 Delay and Arrears Reduction in Civil Matters
4. Use of leT for Judicial Reforms51. No. Topics
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25 Assessing the need for legal reform associated with the use
of leT for,
delivery of justice.26 Assessing the possibility and challenges
of the use of social media and
mobile technolocv for judicial awareness.27 Analyzing the impact
of computerization of courts and audio-video
recording of court proceedings on perception about privacy and
datasecurity.
28 Study to recommend policies for improving the adoption and
utilization ofICT in the judicial system.
29 To study the feasibility of replacing paper documentation
whenever possiblewithout affecting delivery of justice to speed up
the justice delivery process
5. Alternate Dis ute Resolution
30$1. No.
anization and functionin of ADRs
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,. Legal Education/Continuing Legal Education
NONE
MiscellaneousSI. TopicsNo.1 To study the use of sentencing power
by various courts in the criminal hiel\arohy
to identify the impediments in the exercise of sentencing
jurisdiction _L .2 Family Courts-their importance and effectiveness
.3 Study'on bottlenecks in the functioning and effectiveness of
Family Courts4 The role and importance of Fast Track Courts and
Special Courts and their
performance in the Indian context5 Study: How to address
increasing grievances of litigants including judiQial
officers against members of BAR related to their services,
professional etlllicsand fees etc.
s insolvency and 'Bankruptcy Code; ';1
7 Crimes Against Women\,
8 Children in Conflict with the LawHuman Trafficking
--- ,91.0 Cyber Crime
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Suggested List of topics:
Family Courts:
i)Analysis of Pendency of Cases in Family Courts and Methods to
reduce pendency(Total Pendency as on May 2016 -672075)
ii)Use of technology to simplify procedures in family
courts.
iii)Role of:Legal aid lawyers in family courts
iv) Challenges and solutions in establishing functional family
courts in different States
Fast-Track Courts:
i)Efficacy of DoJ Fast Track Court Scheme in relation to
under-trials
ii)An impact assessment of fast track courts in India
Enforcement of Decrees
i) Time and motion study on enforcement of decrees and ways to
reduce judicial delays
ii)A study on cases where enforcement of decrees contributes to
delay.
Alternate Dispute Resolution
i) Study on bottlenecks in the organization and functioning of
ADRs.
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Department of JusticeMinistry of Law and Justice
Format for Proposal under the Scheme for Action Research and
Studies onJudicial Reforms
Research Title:
Implementer/Organisation: Provide full contact details
Head of the Organisation:
Description of Research Team: Details of team leader and
members
Research Objective: (Describe the objective of the study)
Project Budgets: per Financial YearProposed Start Date of
Project: Estimated end date of project:
Please state how the costs will be divided Total cost of
Projectacross the Financial Year2014:2015:
Research Methodology:Methodology must include:
i. criteria for identification of sampleii. sample size
Data Collection:i. Primary Dataii. Secondary Data
Main Activities: (list the tasks to be done todeliver the study.
Please link activities toresearch methodology.
Providemilestones/performance tarqets
Key Deliverables:
Background(250 words max. Please include the context and
relevant work/projects conducted in thisarea b our or anisation and
bothers
Activity Based BudgetYou must complete and Activity Based Budget
(ABB). A template ABB spreadsheet hasbeen embedded into this
form.Add additional rows as necessary or, if it is more convenient,
attach a separate spreadsheetand submit it with this
form~~==~~==--~~~~
