News
Small claims courts: 25 planned but only one is operational
Just one out of the Justice Ministry’s promised 25 small claims courts that were due to have been operational by January 1 this year has been opened.
The process has been hampered by a dire shortage of physical and human resources. The courts were meant to start hearing smaller-scale disputes and giving determinations within a maximum of 18 months from the start of proceedings. It was expected that this would shorten delays and ease the burden on the existing system.
Another feature of the new court is that, even after a case is filed, it can call the parties in dispute for a conference to try and work out a settlement without proceeding to trial.
A total of 25 small claims courts was initially due to be established in major towns and cities including Colombo, Gampaha, Galle, Matara, Kaduwela, Kandy, Anuradhapura and Jaffna. So far, only one is functioning in Colombo.
Sources said lack of building facilities, equipment and trained personnel were key issues that had so far stymied efforts to establish the courts as originally planned.
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