Hierarchy of Courts

Administration of Justice Most essential function of the State. Power exercised by the State through judiciary to enforce rights and punish wrongs. It involves two parties - Plaintiff and Defendant – in civil cases - Complainant and Accused or - Prosecution and Accused – in criminal cases

Judicial Process involves - A right claimed or a wrong complained by one party against the other. - Hearing of the parties by the Court. - Judgment of the Court delivered at the end of the trial. - Execution of the operative part of the judgment.

System of Courts in India At National level – Supreme Court of India At State level – High Court At District and Subordinate level – Subordinate Courts (Civil and Criminal)

Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court Court of Record. Has power to punish for contempt. (A.129) Original Jurisdiction. (A.131) Highest Court of Appeal in the country. (A.132,133,134 & 136) Writ jurisdiction.(A.32) Advisory Jurisdiction.(A.143) Law declared by the Supreme Court binding on all Courts in India.(A.141)

Jurisdiction of the High Court Court of Record. Has power to punish for contempt. (A.215) Original Jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in the case of some High Courts. Appellate jurisdiction in respect of criminal and civil cases decided by Subordinate courts. Revisional Jurisdiction conferred under the Civil Procedure Code and Criminal Procedure Code. Writ jurisdiction.(A.226) Administrative Jurisdiction over subordinate courts.

Organization of the courts at District level Civil Courts subordinate to the High Court administering civil justice. Civil justice is remedial and is concerned with enforcement of rights. Proceedings in Civil Courts are regulated by Civil Procedure Code. Criminal Justice is punitive and is concerned with punishing the offenders. Proceedings in Criminal Courts are regulated by Criminal Procedure Code.

Civil Courts subordinate to the High Court In Cities First Grade Chief Judge and Additional Chief Judge Second Grade Assistant Chief Judge or Senior Civil Judge Third Grade Munsif or Junior Civil Judge In Districts First Grade District Judge and Additional District Judge Second Grade Assistant District Judge or Senior Civil Judge Third Grade Munsif or Junior Civil Judge

District Judge - Head of civil justice administration in the district. Chief Judge - Head of civil justice administration in the city. Additional Chief Judges and Additional District Judges – Assist the Chief Judge and District Judge in administering civil justice Judges of First grade and Second grade possess both original and appellate jurisdiction. Judges of First grade may be conferred with revisional powers also.

Small Causes Courts are constituted under the Provincial Small Causes Courts Act. It tries only such suits which are triable only by such courts. Matters of small nature, not involving questions of title are tried by Small Causes Courts. Procedure followed by these courts are simpler and shorter than that of an ordinary civil courts.

Criminal Courts Subordinate to the High Court In Cities Sessions Court (Sessions Judge, Addl. Sessions Judges and Asst. Sessions Judges) Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court Metropolitan Magistrates’ Courts In Districts Sessions Court (Sessions Judge, Addl. Sessions Judges and Asst. Sessions Judges) Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court Judicial Magistrates of First Class. Judicial Magistrates of Second Class.

State divided into Sessions divisions. (usually districts) Each Sessions division has a Court of Session. Presiding Officer of Court of Session is Sessions Judge. He is assisted by Additional and Assistant Sessions Judge. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate – In charge of city. Chief Judicial Magistrate – In charge of district. Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate – In charge of sub - division. All the Judicial Magistrates of I class and II class including Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate are subordinate to Sessions Judge.

Sentencing Power of different Trial Courts Sessions Judge and Additional Sessions Judge Assistant Sessions Judge Chief Judicial Magistrate Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Judicial Magistrate of I class Metropolitan Magistrate Judicial Magistrate of II class Any sentence authorized by law. But death sentence to be confirmed by the High Court Imprisonment upto 10 years and fine authorized by law Imprisonment upto 7 years and fine authorized by law Imprisonment upto 3 years and fine not exceeding Rs. 10000. Imprisonment upto 1 year and fine not exceeding Rs. 5000

Separation of powers Three organs of government - Legislative – Making laws - Executive – Enforcing laws - Judiciary – Interpreting laws and resolving disputes Same person should not form part of more than one of the three organs of government. One organ of the government not to interfere with any other organ of the government. One organ of the government not to exercise the function assigned to any other organ of the government.

Separation of powers In pursuance of the scheme of separation of executive from the judiciary (u/A 50 of the Constitution) – Two categories of Magistrates created. Judicial Magistrates – Appointed and controlled by the High Court and discharge judicial functions. Executive Magistrates – Appointed and controlled by the State Government and discharge executive functions, i.e., maintenance of law and order.

Executive Magistracy For Districts For Subdivision - District Magistrates - Additional District Magistrates -Executive Magistrates For Subdivision - Sub-Divisional Magistrate - Additional Sub- Divisional Magistrate - Executive Magistrates

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