The Nepali Judiciary - Supreme Court Of Nepal

Introduction
The process of planned reformation is a novel practice for the judiciary. The First Five-Year
Strategic Plan of the Nepali Judiciary was formulated and implemented five years ago. Whatever
maybe the status of the evaluation of achievements made with regards to the objective of the Plan,
the judicial process in the absence of judicial reform will not be able to maintain the expected
satisfaction of the court users and pursuant to the democratic need, the court cannot play an
effective role of the guardian of the rule of law and in this regard the first Plan has sent a message
that such reforms is possible only through a planned process. The fact that the effectiveness of the
justice sector has a positive relation between the investment in the justice sector and the overall
economic development of the nation has been created among the principal stakeholders and I feel
that this has been one of the most important aspect of the this Plan.
During the plan period and from the data available although expected result could not be achieved
with regards to the disposal of cases, satisfactory results have been achieved in the various areas
of strategic intervention. Principally, from the management to the lower level of staff have had the
opportunity of being acquainted with the mission, vision and objective and principal activities. We
have realized the importance and appropriateness of planned development and concept of working
in a planned manner has been initiated. There has been commendable achievement in the area of
capacity development of man power and in the infrastructure of the courts. The achievement made
in the procurement of land, building, furniture, modes of transport, computer and electronic goods
and the application of information technology is worth mentioning. This has without any doubt
created congenial working environment for the man power involved in the justice sector and has
generated commitment towards their work. Studies and research made available through various
committees has enabled us to identify the problems vexing the judiciary and we have been
successful in indentifying the possibilities of reformation.
The period of the first Plan witnessed extensive changes in the political and social sphere. The
basic values and recognition prevalent therein with regards to the constitutional and political
conditions and political infrastructure has changed. The State was in a state of conflict during the
commencement of the first Plan. Although the situation of conflict has abated, complete stability
has not been achieved in the management of the State. Instability, perplexity and confusion are
synonymous to the present transitional period. Even when the nation is passing through a
transitional phase, the judiciary cannot withdraw from its constitutional obligations. The judiciary is
vested with additional obligations and is vested with the responsibility of providing leadership with
regards to the challenges faced during the transitional period and in the process of establishing
rule of law. For this, it is necessary that introspection should be made as soon as possible and
reform plans should be formulated for judicial reform.
Matter of judicial reform is not only the responsibility of the court but rather it is an overall process.
The work of judiciary is directly attached with the roles of other governmental organizations
applying State power, bodies, legal professions, court users and civil society. Judicial work is the
core function of the court and even if this may seem to be the responsibility of the court only, this
work cannot be executed by the sole participation of the court. The quality and level of role played
by the government, political parties, civil society, prosecutors, investigation units, lawyers and
stakeholder groups of the justice sector and the nature of assistance provided by them in judicial
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