The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society
Short Questions and Answers
Q1. What is justice?
Answer: Justice means ensuring fair treatment, equality and dignity for everyone in society.
Q2. What is the judiciary?
Answer: The judiciary is the institution that ensures fair decisions in disputes according to the law.
Q3. Why is an independent judiciary important?
Answer: An independent judiciary ensures that disputes are decided fairly and justly.
Q4. What are laws?
Answer: Laws are general rules made by the government to regulate people’s activities and impose consequences for breaking them.
Q5. What is substantive justice?
Answer: Substantive justice focuses on whether the final decision or outcome is fair, just and reasonable.
Q6. What is procedural justice?
Answer: Procedural justice means giving every person involved a full opportunity to be heard before a decision is made.
Q7. What is the structure of the Indian judicial system?
Answer: The Indian judicial system consists of the Supreme Court, High Courts and Subordinate Courts.
Q8. When did the Supreme Court of India come into existence?
Answer: The Supreme Court of India came into existence on 26 January 1950.
Q9. Where is the Supreme Court of India located?
Answer: The Supreme Court of India is located in New Delhi.
Q10. Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court?
Answer: The President of India appoints the judges of the Supreme Court.
Q11. What is a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Answer: A PIL is a legal petition used to address issues of public concern and protect people’s rights.
Q12. What is a High Court?
Answer: A High Court is the highest court at the State level.
Q13. What are tribunals?
Answer: Tribunals are specialised bodies that decide specific categories of disputes.
Q14. What is mediation?
Answer: Mediation is a method of dispute resolution in which a neutral person helps the parties reach a mutual settlement.
Q15. What are Lok Adalats?
Answer: Lok Adalats are special forums where disputes and cases can be settled amicably.
Long Questions and Answers
Q1. Explain the connection between law and justice.
Answer: Laws are general rules made by the government to regulate people’s activities in society. They also prescribe consequences for breaking these rules. The judicial system allows people to complain about grievances and present their points of view. It helps ensure justice according to the law and the Constitution.
Q2. Explain the two important aspects of justice.
Answer: The two important aspects of justice are substantive justice and procedural justice. Substantive justice focuses on whether the final outcome is fair, just and reasonable. Procedural justice ensures that every person involved gets a full opportunity to be heard before a decision is taken.
Q3. Describe the structure of the Indian judicial system.
Answer: India has a unified judicial system consisting of a hierarchy of courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country, followed by the High Courts at the State level. Subordinate Courts function below the High Courts at the district level. These courts deal with disputes at different levels.
Q4. Explain the role and importance of the Supreme Court of India.
Answer: The Supreme Court is the highest court of law in India and is located in New Delhi. It is the final interpreter of the Constitution of India. It hears appeals, decides certain disputes between the Centre and States, and protects Fundamental Rights. Its declared law is binding on all courts in India.
Q5. What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)? Explain with examples.
Answer: Public Interest Litigation is a legal process used to address issues of public concern and give meaning to the Right to Life. In the case involving under-trial prisoners in Bihar, the Supreme Court ordered their release. In the M.C. Mehta case, environmental issues such as cleaning the River Ganga and protecting the Taj Mahal were taken up.
Q6. Describe the role and jurisdiction of High Courts.
Answer: A High Court is the highest court at the State level and exercises its powers within its territorial limits. It hears appeals against decisions of subordinate courts in civil and criminal matters. It also exercises writ jurisdiction and supervises subordinate courts and tribunals. This helps ensure that these courts function within their legal authority.
Q7. What are Subordinate Courts? Explain their importance.
Answer: Subordinate Courts function below the High Courts in each State. They include District Courts, Sessions Courts, Revenue Courts and Small Causes Courts. They are important because they bring the judiciary into close contact with the people. District Judges are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the High Court.
Q8. What are tribunals? Explain their different types.
Answer: Tribunals are specialised bodies established to decide specific categories of disputes. The National Green Tribunal deals with environmental issues, while Consumer Fora decide consumer disputes. The National Company Law Tribunal deals with corporate civil and commercial disputes. Other tribunals handle electricity, Armed Forces and government employee service matters.
Q9. How has digital technology improved the judicial system?
Answer: Digital technology has made the judicial system more accessible and transparent. Litigants can check the details of their cases directly, and court orders and judgments are available to the public in multiple languages. Digital initiatives include e-Filing, hybrid hearings and live streaming of court proceedings. The National Judicial Data Grid also provides information about cases.
Q10. Explain the alternative modes of dispute resolution mentioned in the chapter.
Answer: Alternative modes of dispute resolution include arbitration, mediation, negotiation and Lok Adalats. In arbitration, an independent arbitrator gives a legally binding decision. In mediation, a neutral person helps the parties reach a mutual settlement without imposing a decision. Lok Adalats help settle disputes amicably, while Gram Nyayalayas provide simplified justice at the village level.
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