Supreme Court, High Courts will soon have neutral citation for their judgments: CJI DY Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India (DJI) DY Chandrachud said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court as well as all the High Courts across the country will soon introduce a neutral citation for all their judgements..The CJI revealed that the e-committee of the Supreme Court has given a report on using the neutral citation and that he has already written to the Chief Justices of High Courts to provide neutral citations for the judgements.“Some colleagues ask me what the value of this neutral citation is. Neutral citation ensures that irrespective of the law reports which you use, there would be one format for citation of the judgement of the Supreme Court and all High Courts across the country,” the CJI said..Justice Chandrachud was speaking at a function organised by the Delhi High Court to inaugurate its online e-inspection software.The CJI cited the example of the Delhi High Court, which has already introduced neutral citation for its judgement, and said that other High Courts and the apex court will soon follow suit.In November this year, the Supreme Court had constituted a three-member panel of High Court judges to develop and implement a uniform and unique citation for apex court judgments.Besides Delhi, Kerala High Court and Madras High Court have also already introduced neutral citation..In his address today, the CJI also urged the High Courts to have their own online portals for Right to Information (RTI) applications so that the process of disclosure of information about courts become streamlined and accessible.“We at the Supreme Court have launched an online RTI portal. I would request all High Courts, including Delhi, to have their own online RTI portal so that we make the process of disclosure of information about our courts streamlined and accessible,” he said.The CJI also stated that the Supreme Court has started the facility for online submission of appearances of advocates so that there are no errors.“Earlier, the court masters used to handle a large number of papers every morning. Slips would be handed over to them. There would be errors and lawyers would come seeking correction in the orders. All that has been obviated now.”.The CJI also said that the Supreme Court will soon unveil an upgraded facility for e-filing of cases. “We had an e-filing software of sorts but it is being substantially upgraded. It is now in process of completing the security audit and we are in the process of now launching e-filing in the Supreme Court,” the CJI stated.He said that a process has now begun where a committee of the Supreme Court will monitor technological advances in High Courts that are ahead of the curve so that the same can be replicated in those courts which are not very advanced.“I believe the monitoring and implementing committee under the e-courts committee will now take this mission that what is happening in High Courts that are ahead of the learning curve should not remain in a silo and that this spreads to the rest of the country,” the CJI expressed hope.