ThePrint Opinion: Evaluating Judges & holding them to account is risky: We must answer the 'Why?' first
Dec 4, 2025
The podcast dives into the critical issues surrounding judicial evaluations in India. It highlights the pain of litigants facing delays and opaque proceedings. Experts caution against rushed reforms that could threaten judicial independence. They discuss the need for evaluations aimed at genuine accountability and institutional feedback. The conversation explores global examples, warning of populist approaches that may concentrate power. Ultimately, the focus should be on reforming the system to benefit those waiting for justice.
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Ask Why Before Measuring Judges
- Before measuring judges, ask why: institutional feedback, individual development, or accountability determine design.
- Mixing these goals risks harmful consequences for judicial independence and effectiveness.
Match Tools To Goals
- Use different tools for different goals: feedback, coaching, or promotion require distinct systems.
- Avoid using a single instrument both for development and for discipline.
Flaws In The ACR System
- The current ACR mixes subjective and quantitative measures across states with varied metrics.
- Scaling that architecture to higher courts would entrench confusion and risks misuse.
