Kathmandu: Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma has issued a 21-point directive to chief judges of High Courts and chief judges of District Courts, urging them to perform their judicial duties with integrity, dedication, and accountability.
Stating that citizens expect the judiciary to deliver fair, impartial, swift, high-quality, and effective justice, along with good governance in judicial administration, the Chief Justice emphasized the need to uphold public trust and confidence in the judiciary through commitment, responsibility, diligence, and honesty.
Chief Justice Sharma noted that all state institutions must play a significant role in promoting good governance in line with public expectations. He also highlighted the importance of utilizing technology to make public service delivery faster, more accessible, and more effective.
He stressed the effective implementation of the judiciary’s Fifth Five-Year Strategic Plan and the Crisis Management Action Plan formulated following the incidents of September 8 and 9 last year, as key measures to strengthen public confidence in the judicial system.
The directive calls for using strategic and action plans as foundations for reform, reducing the backlog of cases, improving case-flow management, enhancing hearing schedules, cause-list preparation and bench management, and maintaining zero tolerance toward irregularities, misconduct, and corruption. It also seeks to strengthen governance-related reporting mechanisms.
Furthermore, the directive instructs courts to establish effective grievance-hearing mechanisms, improve citizen charters, information desks, and service-oriented behavior, streamline summons and notice delivery processes, and expand the use of information technology. It encourages wider adoption of online hearings, video conferencing, and live streaming, as well as institutionalizing automated hearing and scheduling systems and ensuring greater transparency in judicial proceedings.
The Chief Justice also directed courts to expedite judgment writing and implementation, ensure victim-friendly justice and compensation mechanisms, promote mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods, enhance access to justice, and ensure judicial oversight during statements, testimonies, and evidence examination.
In addition, the directive emphasizes maintaining financial discipline, ensuring transparent expenditure based on budget priorities, and paying special attention to the conduct, attendance, security, and public credibility of judges and court employees.
