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Small Claims Court to ease district court caseload

15 Jun 2021

  • Cabinet approves key justice reform proposal

By Pamodi Waravita   The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday (15) granted approval to commence work on the establishment of a Small Claims Court which would hear cases below a specific monetary threshold, following a proposal by Minister of Justice Minister Ali Sabry. “The rationale behind this is to ease the caseload of the district court, which would accordingly be able to hear the higher value disputes more efficiently and also to introduce a faster, more efficient procedure for the recovery of smaller claims,” Justice Ministry’s Co-ordinating Secretary Shamir Zavahir told The Morning. This court is one of the key aims of the justice reform programme of the Justice Ministry, which is aimed at reducing delays in laws, Zavahir added. These recommendations have been put forth by a committee headed by Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute Director and Court of Appeal Judge Justice Dr. Ruwan Fernando. Accordingly, Cabinet approval has been granted to amend the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978, to enable the establishment of courts of first instance and to formulate a draft bill which would enable the introduction of new laws to furnish provisions for the special procedure related to the courts of first instance.


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