Supreme Court Issues Directions for Regularisation of Court Managers, Asks High Courts to Frame Recruitment Rules.
Supreme Court:
In a landmark step toward streamlining court administration in India, the Supreme Court has directed all High Courts to frame proper recruitment rules for court managers and take steps toward their regularisation. The decision comes as a long-awaited relief for hundreds of professionals working behind the scenes in India’s courts without job security or formal recognition.
Who Are Court Managers, and Why Are They Important?
Court managers may not wear robes or deliver verdicts, but they are vital to the smooth functioning of our judicial system. These are trained professionals—mostly with MBAs or degrees in court administration—who handle the non-judicial aspects of court operations, such as:
- Managing court infrastructure
- Assisting with budgeting and planning
- Helping streamline case management
- Coordinating between judges and administrative staff
Their role allows judges to focus more on hearings and judgments instead of getting bogged down by paperwork, logistics, and resource planning.
But here’s the catch—most court managers across India are working on temporary, contract-based positions, with no career path, promotions, or job security.
What the Supreme Court Said
Taking note of the situation, the Supreme Court firmly stated that court managers are not “temporary assistants” but integral to the judicial setup.
In its ruling, the Court directed:
- All High Courts must frame and notify rules for the recruitment, promotion, and service conditions of court managers.
- Courts should consider regularising the services of those who have been working in the role for several years.
- Recruitment should be transparent, merit-based, and aligned with the long-term needs of the judiciary.
The Court stressed that if the government is serious about judicial efficiency, then it cannot treat court managers as an afterthought.
The Human Story Behind the Order
Many court managers have been serving in High Courts for 8 to 10 years, often under short-term contracts renewed every year. Despite working full-time and handling key tasks, they’ve had no job stability or official recognition.
One such court manager shared:
“We work just like any other staff member, sometimes even more. But we’re constantly unsure if we’ll have a job next year. This judgment feels like justice—not just legal, but emotional justice too.”
A Step Toward Systemic Reform
This judgment is not just about one job title—it reflects a growing recognition that court infrastructure, staff, and administration need urgent reform. By professionalizing roles like court managers, the judiciary can work more efficiently, reduce pendency, and deliver timely justice to citizens.
Regularising court managers will also:
- Improve court productivity
- Create employment opportunities for qualified young professionals
- Ensure long-term institutional memory in judicial administration
What Happens Next?
Now the onus lies with each High Court to:
- Draft comprehensive service rules
- Start the process of regularising long-serving managers
- Launch structured recruitment drives
The Ministry of Law and Justice may also step in to ensure the required financial and administrative support is in place.
Conclusion: A Move Toward Judicial Modernization
This Supreme Court direction is a quiet but powerful step toward modernizing India’s judicial system. It acknowledges the importance of skilled administrators in courts and moves us closer to a more responsive, transparent, and efficient judiciary.
It’s not just about regularising jobs—it’s about recognising contributions, ensuring dignity of labour, and building a better justice delivery system for everyone.
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