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INDUCTION COURSE FOR THE NEW RECRUITS



Induction training for Munsiff/Magistrates (Civil Judges (Junior Division))

Ours is a vibrant democracy with a strong and independent Judiciary, which integrates closely with a society that recognizes the existence of the rule of law. For the continued existence and sustenance of a truly democratic State, administration of justice should be in the hands of competent, impartial and conscientious persons so that justice is rendered and rule of law is upheld, both of which are imperative for a free society.

Every Judicial System consists of two components - a framework provided by the law and the Judges who work within the system. The effectiveness of the system depends, in a substantial measure, on the capacity of the men who operate the system. It is therefore, essential that Judges be able to administer justice according to law and maintain high profile throughout his carrier.

In this background lies the importance of judicial education that seeks to transform good judges to great judges - judges with vision and compassion; responsive to the felt need of society; sensitive to injustice not only to the matter before them but in other realms as well. Judicial education can broaden the outlook of judges and make them more aware of the constitutional goals of justice and teach them innovative ways to deliver effective justice within the existing framework of law. While judicial education is oriented more towards enhancing the knowledge level of the officers, judicial training aims at sharpening their skills and thereby discharging duties effectively.  Precisely training is focused, specialized and result oriented.


Kerala is one of the states which recognized the importance of Judicial education. Here institutional training started with the establishment of the ‘Directorate of Training’ in the year 1986 and since then induction training programmes were being conducted for many batches of new recruits.

Earlier, the Induction training was for six months. As per the direction of the Supreme Court in All India Judges Association v. Union of India reported in [(2002) 4  SCC 247], scheme of induction training was revised and as per the new scheme, the Induction training is for one year.

During this Induction Course, practical as well as theoretical training is imparted to the trainee Officers as per the prescribed syllabi approved by the Board of Governors.

 
Objectives of the Induction Course:

 

The broad curriculam goals for the induction course are:

 To prepare newly appointed judges for performing their duties and functions;
To ensure uniformity and predictability of decisions by equipping  the judges with adequate command of laws, procedures and the technology of judging;
To educate judges on related areas of knowledge and skills useful for judicial work;
To inculcate the right kind of values, attitudes and perspectives desirable for undertaking judicial functions;
To motivate and prepare for absorbing reformist initiatives, overcome resistance to change and to manage change in a manner beneficial to judicial administration;
To recognize problems confronting the judiciary or problems faced by people vis-a-vis the judicial system and help develop and administer solutions for better access to justice.

 Scheme of Training


PHASE- I (Initiation)

Place                           Duration                      Nature of Training

Academy                    Three Months             Theoretical Training-I

Civil Courts               Two Months                 Practical Training

Criminal Courts       One Month                    Practical Training


PHASE- II (Exploration)

Including training at various Depts        Three Months          Theoretical Training-II

Civil Courts                                                  One Month               Practical Training

Criminal Courts                                          One Month               Practical Training


PHASE -III (Reflection)

 Academy                          One Month                  Remedial teaching & Evaluation

Total                                  Twelve Months
    

Institutional Training at the Kerala Judicial Academy

     Institutional training at the Academy lasts for 7 months. Hence, traditional approach towards the topics is not followed here. Trainees no longer be passive listeners, they must be active participants in gathering knowledge.  Teaching should be student oriented rather than teachers centered. As many instructional techniques as possible are being introduced for teaching various topics.  As per the above scheme, training at the Kerala Judicial Academy is divided into three phases and training in each phase is designed with well defined objectives:


Phase - I (Initiation)

     This phase focuses on promoting legal ability in substantive laws, procedural laws, special statutes, etc. Trainees acquire knowledge in all branches of law and in their application in various factual situations.


Phase - II (Exploration)

     In this phase, training aims at personality development, teaching of management skills and, Judicial Conduct and standards, and at improving awareness on contemporary and inter-disciplinary issues in order to improve their competence and working skill for better discharge of their judicial and administrative duties.

Phase - III (Reflection)

     Evaluation of the trainees by questionnaire discussion, Judgment writing on civil and criminal cases, etc. Remedial measures,  if necessary, is taken at appropriate stages.