Integrated Judicial System in India

Integrated Judicial System in India and How its Function: The statement “India has an integrated judiciary” means that the judicial system in India is a single, unified system. This means that all courts in India, from the Supreme Court to the lowest district courts, are part of a single hierarchy. Decisions made by higher courts are binding on lower courts, and all courts are subject to the same laws and procedures.

This system of integrated judiciary was established by the Constitution of India, which guarantees the independence of the judiciary. The Constitution also gives the Supreme Court the power to hear appeals from lower courts and to strike down laws that it finds to be unconstitutional. The integrated judiciary system has several advantages. It ensures that there is a uniform interpretation of the law throughout India, and it provides a mechanism for appeals to higher courts. This can help to ensure that justice is served, even in cases where the lower courts have made mistakes.

The Role of an Integrated Judiciary in Ensuring Justice

1. Safeguarding Fundamental Rights
2. Resolving Disputes and Ensuring Access to Justice
3. Correcting Errors and Ensuring Fairness
4. Consistent Interpretation and Application of Laws
5. Upholding the Rule of Law

Structure of Indian judiciary

The Supreme Court is at the apex of the Indian Judicial Hierarchy, followed by the High Courts, and then the Subordinate Courts, and then the District Court.

1. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court stands at the top of the judiciary system. The Supreme Court of India is known as the federal court of India. It implements federal law as well as state law. The Indian judiciary is the guarantor of fundamental rights. The ultimate power with respect to the enforcement of fundamental rights is lie in the supreme court. The high court is also a guarantor of the fundamental right but the ultimate power lies in the supreme court. It enforces the fundamental rights of the people to provide justice according to the Indian preamble, the justice of social, economic, and political. The judges of the supreme court are appointed by the President of India. The chief justice of India is appointed by the president after consultation with the other senior-most judges of the supreme court.  another judge of the Supreme Court is appointed by the president after consultation with the chief justice of India. The original jurisdiction of the supreme court is to decide the disputes between the center and state or between two States. The Supreme Court of India also has the power to issue writs. Writs are powerful legal remedies that can be issued by the Supreme Court (and High Courts) to protect and enforce fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India. If any of the persons appealed to the supreme court for enforcing their fundamental rights then the supreme court can issue different types of writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, and certiorari. This type of writ is issued when the fundamental rights of citizens are in danger. The supreme court also has appellate jurisdiction in constitutional matters, civil matters and criminal matters, etc. advisory jurisdiction, a court of records, power of judicial review, and constitutional interpretation These are some more important jurisdictions of the supreme court.  

2. High Court

In the hierarchy of the Indian judicial system, below the Supreme Court, the High Courts are positioned. The high court has its jurisdiction with respect to their state. The high court is not the court of state but it is below the supreme court and covers the specific area of the State. Each state has their own High court but in some cases, two or more states can have a single high court. Punjab and Haryana are such types of examples. The judges of the High Court are appointed by the president of India after consultants to the judges of the supreme court especially consult done by the chief justice of the supreme court. The chief justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice of India. other judges can be appointed by the president of India after consultation with the chief justice of the High Court. The State government has no power with respect to appointing the judges of the supreme court. The High Court work in the state like a supreme court in the whole country. Both the supreme court and the high court have the power of interpreting the Indian constitution and other laws made by parliament.

When the fundamental rights of the citizen are under threat the candidate can directly approach the supreme court but as a supreme court, the high court also issues writ with respect to enforcing the fundamental rights of the citizens. Victims can approach without the way of appeal in the supreme court or high court. The high court has its original jurisdiction in only its respecting area. It resolve disputes relating to the election of members of parliament and state legislature regarding revenue matters and also resolved any dispute with respect to state law. The high court has the same power as the supreme court, except few cases. The supreme court can issue writs for enforcing the fundamental rights of citizens. It can also issue the writ with respect to other disputes those are not related to any fundamental right. That means the supreme court only can issue the writ for only the matter of fundamental rights but the high court can issue a writ in both matters, fundamental rights as well as other legal matters. The High Court also has some more jurisdictions like appellate jurisdiction, supervisory jurisdiction, court of record, control over subordinate courts, and the power of judicial review.  

Judicial review is the power of the supreme court and the high court in which they excise their power to interpret the law made by parliament and also reviews the amendment of the constitution.  

3. Subordinate Court

In the structure of the integrated judiciary in India, subordinate courts, including district courts and other lower-level courts, are positioned below the High Courts. Subordinate courts can be categorized into two categories that are civil and criminal courts below the High Court. Civil court resolve dispute related to the Civil matter and the criminal court resolve those issues which are related to the criminal case.  

4. District Court 

A district court is a court of law that is the lowest level of the judiciary in India. There are 672 district courts in India, each of which is responsible for a specific geographic area. District courts are staffed by judges who are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of India.

important features of district courts in India:

• They are the lowest level of courts in the Indian judicial system.
• They have original jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, and family law.
• They also have the power to hear appeals from lower courts.

Features of India’s Integrated Judicial System

1. The different courts in the system are integrated with each other so that there is a smooth flow of cases from one level to the next. 
2. The courts in the system are hierarchically linked together, with the Supreme Court at the top and the district and subordinate courts at the bottom.
3. The Indian judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. This means that judges can decide cases without fear or favor and that their decisions are not subject to political interference.
4. There is only one judicial system in India, with the Supreme Court at the apex. This means that all the courts in the country are subject to the authority of the Supreme Court, and their decisions are binding on the lower courts.

Advantages Integrated Judicial System

• An integrated judicial system means all courts are connected.
• This makes sure people are treated equally under the law.
• Cases are decided by the most qualified judges.
• People can appeal decisions to higher courts.
• integrated judicial system makes the system more efficient.

Disadvantages Integrated Judicial System

• An integrated judicial system is more expensive because it needs more judges and staff.
• It can lead to delays because cases have to go through several levels of appeal.
• It can be more complex and difficult to understand.

Conclusion

India has an integrated judiciary that operates as a unified and cohesive system to administer justice throughout the country. The hierarchical structure, with the Supreme Court at the top, followed by High Courts and subordinate courts, ensures consistency, uniformity, and the application of the law.