Topic 05 of 6 · Chapter 10 · Indian Polity
Subordinate Courts & Tribunals
District courts, civil courts, criminal courts, Lok Adalats, Fast Track Courts, Family Courts, and tribunals.
📋 In This Article
1. Judicial Hierarchy in India
India has a single integrated judicial system with the following hierarchy:
- Supreme Court — apex court
- High Courts — one per State (or group of States)
- District Courts — at the district level
- Subordinate Courts — below district courts (civil and criminal)
💡 Key Idea: The subordinate courts are under the superintendence of the High Court (Article 227). The HC can call for records, give directions, and correct errors of subordinate courts.
2. District Courts
The District Court is the principal court of original civil jurisdiction in a district. Key features:
- Presided over by the District Judge
- Has both civil and criminal jurisdiction
- In criminal matters, the District Court is also the Sessions Court
- The District Judge is appointed by the Governor in consultation with the HC
- Appeals from District Court go to the High Court
3. Criminal Courts
The hierarchy of criminal courts under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC):
| Court | Presiding Officer | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions Court | Sessions Judge | Serious criminal cases; can award death sentence (subject to HC confirmation) |
| Chief Judicial Magistrate | Chief Judicial Magistrate | Cases with imprisonment up to 7 years |
| Judicial Magistrate (First Class) | Judicial Magistrate | Cases with imprisonment up to 3 years |
| Judicial Magistrate (Second Class) | Judicial Magistrate | Cases with imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Executive Magistrate | Executive Magistrate | Preventive measures, public order |
4. Special Courts
- Family Courts: Established under Family Courts Act, 1984 — deal with matrimonial disputes, custody, maintenance
- Fast Track Courts: Established to expedite disposal of cases — especially for heinous crimes, cases involving senior citizens, etc.
- Commercial Courts: Established under Commercial Courts Act, 2015 — deal with commercial disputes above a specified value
- Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT): Deal with motor accident compensation claims
5. Tribunals
Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established to adjudicate specific types of disputes. They are faster and more specialized than regular courts.
| Tribunal | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) | Service matters of Central Government employees |
| Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) | Income tax disputes |
| National Green Tribunal (NGT) | Environmental disputes |
| National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) | Company law matters, insolvency |
| Armed Forces Tribunal | Service matters of armed forces personnel |
| Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) | Recovery of debts by banks |
⭐ Exam Fact: Tribunals are established under Article 323A (Administrative Tribunals) and Article 323B (Other Tribunals) — both added by the 42nd Amendment (1976). The Supreme Court has held that tribunals cannot replace courts — they must be subject to judicial review by HCs.
6. Lok Adalats
Lok Adalats (People’s Courts) are alternative dispute resolution forums established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Key features:
- Provide speedy, informal, and inexpensive justice
- Decisions are based on compromise and conciliation
- Awards of Lok Adalats are final and binding — deemed to be a decree of a civil court
- No appeal lies against Lok Adalat awards
- No court fees — if case is settled in Lok Adalat, court fees are refunded
- Can deal with motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes, labour disputes, etc.
✅ Remember: Lok Adalats are organized by State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs). The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) coordinates at the national level.
7. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- District Court presided by District Judge
- Sessions Court: Can award death sentence (subject to HC confirmation)
- Family Courts: Under Family Courts Act, 1984
- Tribunals: Articles 323A and 323B (added by 42nd Amendment)
- NGT: National Green Tribunal — environmental disputes
- CAT: Central Administrative Tribunal — Central Government service matters
- Lok Adalats: Under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
- Lok Adalat awards: Final and binding; no appeal
- Lok Adalat: Based on compromise and conciliation
- NALSA: National Legal Services Authority — coordinates Lok Adalats