President concerned over high cost of litigation in country

NEW DELHI: Noting that litigation cost in the country was very high, President Pratibha Patil on Saturday  favoured alternative dispute settlement methods as a remedy.
   
Addressing the international conference of jurists on the "Rule of Law", the President said, lawyers can contribute much more in helping the needy who knock the doors of justice, as only then the object of social justice could be achieved in the country.
   
"Clearly, in a country with the size and magnitude of India, there remain many challenges in providing social justice as well as justice to the marginalised sections of our society. High cost of judicial remedy is a cause of concern that needs rectification. Alternative dispute settlement systems need to be encouraged, "she observed.

Patil said a democratic form of government must have its foundations on a rule of law that advocates the absence of arbitrary power, ensures equality before law and protection of individual liberties.

She said there was a need to grant equality of law and equal protection of law to all citizens, particularly the disadvantaged sections, as enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution.

Patil also advocated the need for courts to make their procedures as simple as possible so that the common man gains easy access to the judiciary.

Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan, Chief Justice of England and Wales Lord Phillips, Union Minister of State for Law K Venkatapathy, judges of the Supreme Court and other dignitaries were present at the conference organised at the Vigyan Bhavan.