In Brief
This judgment addresses the systemic restructuring of tribunals in India. The Court found that tribunals—meant to provide speedy, inexpensive justice—suffer from ad-hoc appointments, insufficient independence, and inaccessible single-location seats. The Court approved establishment of an autonomous National Tribunal Commission to oversee recruitment, performance, and discipline of tribunal members through national competition and regular cadres modelled on judicial services. Direct appeals to the Supreme Court should be curtailed; High Courts should exercise appellate jurisdiction. Tribunal benches must be accessible across states. The Court directed appointment of a three-member committee, including a retired Supreme Court judge, to devise constitutional reform proposals in consultation with stakeholders."
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