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Cooperation between Bench and Bar essential to dispense justice without delays: Justice Ranaraja
View(s):- Ceremonial sittings for new judges of the Court of Appeal
By Ranjith Padmasiri
The solution to law’s delays encountered in the Court of Appeal could be found within the rules of the court, observed newly appointed Court of Appeal Judge Amal Ranaraja.
For example, he pointed out that Part III of the rules provides for filing written submissions, specifically for the purpose of reducing the time taken for oral submissions. Part V of the rules is intended to reduce unnecessary delays in court proceedings. Justice Ranaraja made these comments while speaking during the recent ceremonial sitting held to welcome him and three other justices to the Court of Appeal.
“Since my appointment as a Judicial Officer in February 1997, I have had the privilege of serving as a Primary Court Judge, Magistrate, District Judge and a High Court Judge, prior to my appointment as a judge of the Court of Appeal. I am conscious of the difference between the role of a judge of the Court of Appeal and a trial judge, especially in correcting errors of fact and law of trial courts and the binding nature of the judgments of this court, apart from the jurisdiction vested in it under articles 140 and 141 of the Constitution,” Justice Ranaraja further stressed.
He acknowledged that a problem that plagues both types of courts is law’s delay. “Just as much as counsels have a duty to serve their clients diligently, the courts have a duty to dispense impartial justice to the litigants without delay,” he observed. “For the efficient and effective administration of justice, it is essential that there should be cooperation between the bench and the bar to reduce the distress caused to litigants due to unnecessary delays in dispensing justice. It is the shared responsibility of both the bench and the bar to minimise their suffering,” he elaborated.
Justice Ranaraja further assured that he will strive hard to attain judicial excellence. “I shall perform my duties impartially without fear or favour, affection, or ill will, not only between man and man but also between man and the State,” he pledged.
“To achieve this, I seek your cooperation, without which it will be an uphill task, perhaps a task impossible,” he told those present.
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