Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has stressed on speedy delivery of justice. She also expressed concern over the large number of pending cases in courts.

Addressing a seminar organised by Indian Law Institute in New Delhi today, she also favoured strengthening of alternative dispute resolution mechanism which includes mediation, arbitration and conciliation, and institutions like Lok Adalats and Nyaya Panchayats. Lok Sabha Speaker said that it would reduce the number of cases going to courts and also provide easy access to justice for the poor.

According to available reports, the Speaker said more than 50,000 cases in the Supreme Court and more than 40 lakh cases in the High Courts are awaiting disposal.

Noting that requests for frequent adjournments increase the period of litigation, she asked Bar council to consider developing a self-regulatory mechanism for discouraging this tendency and for counselling both, the lawyers and clients, to preclude adjournments except in unavoidable circumstances.