Justice Tassadduq Hussain Jillani of the Supreme Court said on Friday that delay in dispensing quick justice could become an impediment to economic activities and hamper development.
He was inaugurating a two-day workshop on "leadership role and training the trainers" jointly organised by the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) and Access to Justice Programme of Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights for the district and sessions judges of the four provinces.
Referring to globalisation of economy and the increase in number of investors he said, "If the foreign investor gets involved in litigation and is bogged down in delay and expense, this would serve as a great discouraging factor."
The courts are invariably taking an unduly long time to deliver justice. Most cases in sub-ordinate courts can be decided in a short time and not in years as has been happening, he observed.
He said the enforcement of the fundamental rights is not the exclusive preserve of the constitutional courts. District judiciary can ensure their enforcement in a great number of cases effectively because reaching a court at the local level would be easier and less expensive for litigant public.
"The entire court system, the elaborate procedural laws both civil and criminal and other substantive laws have laid down the rights of an individual," he added.
It is the district court level where the first ladder of the pyramid of judicial hierarchy is located and it is here that the judges can provide the earliest and quickest relief in a number of cases. Regarding the role of district judiciary, he said it could play a pivotal rule in the administration of justice.
"It is here that people have the first feel of their justice system. It is here that the cases are built or marred. It is at the district level where 80 percent cases are pending," he added.
He said a district judge is the head of judiciary as with his vision and leadership, he can be a trend-setter and inspire fellow judges. The number of the cases over the years have increased on account of a number of factors including population explosion, the greater awareness of rights, industrial growth, increased economic activities and the effect of globalisation, he said.
Earlier, Director General of the Academy Moazzam Hayat presented his welcome speech.
Director Access to Justice Programme Muhammad Afzal Kahut highlighted aims and objects of the workshops on vital issues, saying these workshops are meant to explore ways and means to provide easy, speedy and inexpensive justice.