Observing that the backlog of a large number of pending cases is a great challenge, Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, who is performing the functions of the chief justice, has urged the judges at all tiers to carry out their judicial responsibilities with sympathy to the justice-seekers.

“In order to reduce the case backlog and to maintain people's confidence, the judges will have to work harder,” he said, while presiding over the inauguration of National Judicial Conference, 2017 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka on Saturday.

President Abdul Hamid inaugurated the daylong judicial conference as the chief guest. Judges of both the Appellate and High Court divisions of the Supreme Court and the subordinate courts attended the programme.

Justice Wahhab Miah said backlog of cases and procrastination in case disposal are hindering people's access to justice.

“… The burden of unsettled cases may make the court management ineffective and increase the expense of the cases. We must get rid of the incurable disease of case backlog. For this, you (judges) have to shun the culture of granting unnecessary time…,” he said.

He said existing laws, legal framework and institutions need to be made dynamic through reformation. Realistic plan has to be taken to ease the dispute settlement system, he said.

Justice Wahhab Miah said to make the reform process effective, the legal and the judicial system has to be made more pro-people.

“Justice to the women, children and disadvantaged people has to be given priority. The legal rights of the poor have to be protected,” he said.

A dynamic legal system has to be innovated avoiding the tendency of dilly-dallying, he said, adding that firm steps had to be taken for settling disputes through compromise and arbitration.

Justice Wahhab Miah said the judges would have to keep in mind that people's trust is the inherent source of power of an independent judiciary.

“This depends on the people's unwavering confidence in the judges' honesty, efficiency and impartiality. For gaining trust of common people, the judges would have to possess high moral values… and on the other hand, they would have to be aware of ever-evolving and changing laws, technological advances and social values,” he said.

He said introduction of e-court system in higher and lower courts, keeping and preserving records through digital methods, introduction of video conference facility in district and central jails, introduction of information management system in the judiciary are demands of the time.

Justice Wahhab Miah said time and money will be saved if the depositions of hardened criminals are taken through video conferencing during the trial proceedings of the cases.

He emphasised the need for increasing the number of judges at all the courts of the country in order to enhance the rate of disposal of cases.

Law Minister Anisul Huq also spoke on the occasion.