Kochi: Judicial independence is important domestically as well as across country, opined Professor Shimon Shetreet, Greenblatt Professor of Public and International Law, Courts and Judges at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
He was delivering a special lecture on "Contemporary Issues of Judicial Independence" at NUALS, Kalamassery, on Tuesday. He suggested that the Indian system of selecting judges by themselves through collegiums is good provided it maintained transparency always.
Prof Shimon Shetreet is an international figure in Economics and Law and was a member in Yitzhak Rabin's Government.
Prof Shetreet also said that accountability has to be maintained in judiciary and judges are not above law. Social media interaction is not for judges nor online discussions. Judges should reflect aspirations of different sections of the society. It should not be confused with representation. Independence has to be accorded to judges in matters of personal security and remuneration but internal independence between judges should be upheld. Ad-hoc tribunal arrangements should be discouraged. But if it is established with the approval of courts, then it is fine, he said.
When asked by students how can the backlog of cases be reduced, he replied unnecessary litigation has to be reduced. Moreover litigations can be sorted out through arbitration. And efficient management of judicial system can reduce the backlog, he suggested.
B.G. Harindranath, member, Executive Council in charge of Vice Chancellor, M G Mahadev, Registrar, Dr. Jacob Joseph and other faculty members and students participated in the function.
Prof Shetreet interaction with the students was a rare experience for the aspiring lawyers.
