J&K Judicial Academy conducts training programme on ‘Fair & Speedy Trial’

Srinagar, Apr 4: A one-day training programme on the “Role and Responsibilities of Trial Judges in Ensuring Just, Fair and Speedy Trial” was conducted at the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, Mominabad here for judicial officers of Kashmir province.

The programme was conducted under the patronage of Chief Justice Arun Palli, Patron-in-Chief of the Judicial Academy, and under the guidance of the Governing Committee.

Justice Shahzad Azeem, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, in his inaugural address, underscored the pivotal role of trial courts as the first interface between citizens and the judiciary. He observed that while “justice delayed is justice denied,” equal caution must be exercised to avoid hurried justice compromising fairness.

He stressed that the real challenge before trial judges lies in maintaining a delicate balance between expedition and fairness. Describing the role of judicial officers as a “sacred trusteeship,” Justice Azeem called upon them to act as reformers by embracing technology, minimizing delays, and upholding the principles of fairness, efficiency, and human dignity in the administration of justice.He described the role of judicial officers as a “sacred trusteeship” and urged them to embrace technology, reduce delays, and uphold fairness, efficiency and human dignity.Director of the Judicial Academy, Naseer Ahmad Dar, welcomed the participants and highlighted that the theme of the programme lies at the core of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a just, fair and speedy trial.He highlighted that trial courts form the foundation of the justice delivery system and that trial judges play a crucial role in ensuring that the promise of a just, fair, and speedy trial is meaningfully realized in every courtroom. He further informed that the programme had been specifically designed in light of the guidance of Hon’ble Justice Rahul Bharti, with particular focus on judicial officers who have joined service without prior practice at the Bar.He said that the training was designed keeping in view the needs of judicial officers, particularly those who joined service without prior practice at the Bar.

The first technical session, delivered by Dr. Syed Asima Refai of the University of Kashmir, focused on the constitutional mandate of fair trial. She traced its evolution from ancient legal traditions to modern constitutional jurisprudence, including landmark judgments that expanded the scope of “procedure established by law” to ensure fairness and reasonableness.

The second session by Abdul Rashid Malik, former District and Sessions Judge, dealt with practical challenges before trial courts. He discussed issues such as delays, case management, adjournments, hostile witnesses, and the use of technology, emphasizing judicial diligence and efficient court management. The concluding session was led by Justice (Retd.) B.A. Kirmani, who spoke on judicial conduct, ethics and best practices. He stressed the need for judges to uphold institutional integrity, maintain objectivity, and recognize the human dimension in every case. The programme concluded with an interactive session, where participants shared experiences and discussed challenges, making the event a productive platform for strengthening trial processes.