Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana lamented the lack of basic judicial infrastructure in the country on Saturday, emphasising the importance of not only filling existing vacancies but also increasing the number of judges in high courts to efficiently handle intellectual property litigations.
The Chief Justice was speaking as the chief guest at the Delhi High Court’s National Seminar on Adjudication of IPR Disputes in India, which was attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a number of judges from across the country.
“It is necessary to improve the judicial infrastructure. Regrettably, we do not even meet the bare minimum requirements in this area.
“Strengthened enforcement and action against infringement are urgently needed,” CJI Ramana said. He also noted that the transfer of IPR jurisdiction from IPABs to High Courts comes at a time when the system is already overburdened with backlogs.
In this regard, the CJI emphasised the importance of improving judicial infrastructure, noting that he has been actively pursuing this cause with the Government since taking office. The Chief Justice of India has long advocated for the establishment of a separate statutory body, the National Judicial Infrastructure Corporation, to oversee the development of judicial infrastructure.
Strengthening the High Courts can effectively address these new and additional challenges.
“By strengthening the High Courts, we can effectively meet these new and additional challenges.” Not only do we need to fill existing vacancies as soon as possible, but we also need to increase the number of judges on the bench. We may be able to attract more and more talents into our folds if we improve our service conditions.
It is necessary to improve the judicial infrastructure. Regrettably, we do not even meet the bare minimum requirements in this area. Since taking office as Chief Justice of India, I have worked to establish an institutional mechanism to coordinate and oversee the improvement of judicial infrastructure. He emphasised to offshore investors that the Indian legal system is investor-friendly and completely independent to impart justice to all.
The return of IPR jurisdiction to high courts, according to the CJI, was done at a time when the judiciary was already overburdened by the backlog. “Strengthening the high courts can effectively address these new and additional challenges.
Not only do we need to fill existing vacancies as soon as possible, but we also need to increase the number of judges on the bench. We may be able to attract more and more talents into our fold if we improve our service conditions “The Chief Justice of the International Court of Justice (CJI) stated.
Referring to the evolution of IPR legal regimes and laws, he stated that India has earned the title of world pharmacy and the nation’s position as pharma hub of the globe is largely attributable to the existing IPR regime.
For the past two decades, several multinational pharmaceutical companies have outsourced research and development to Indian national laboratories. India’s pharmaceutical exports have increased dramatically as a result of the existing framework, with local firms developing generic product manufacturing capabilities.
He claims that the lower cost of generic drugs has given people in developing and underdeveloped countries access to life-saving medicines. The CJI advised the stakeholders that when deciding on intellectual property rights claims, they must strike a balance between current claims and the long-term interests of future generations.
DN Patel, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Prathiba M Singh, a judge on the Delhi High Court, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also spoke at the event.