How many types of benches are there in Supreme Court, High Court and l...
Types of Benches in Supreme Court:
- Constitution Bench: The Constitution Bench is formed to hear cases of constitutional importance and to settle important questions of law. It consists of a minimum of five judges.
- Full Bench: The Full Bench comprises all the judges of the Supreme Court. It is constituted in rare cases when a decision on a particular matter by a larger bench is required.
- Division Bench: The Division Bench consists of two judges and is the most common type of bench in the Supreme Court. It hears routine matters and appeals against the decisions of High Courts.
Types of Benches in High Court:
- Division Bench: Similar to the Supreme Court, the Division Bench in High Court consists of two judges. It hears most of the cases and appeals against the decisions of lower courts.
- Full Bench: The Full Bench in High Court comprises three or more judges. It is constituted in cases of significant public importance or when a larger bench is required to settle a legal question.
- Single Bench: The Single Bench consists of a single judge and is responsible for hearing routine matters, bail applications, and other cases that do not require a Division Bench or Full Bench.
Types of Benches in Local Courts:
- Single Bench: The Single Bench in local courts consists of a single judge and is responsible for hearing most of the cases. It handles civil and criminal matters, as well as issues related to family disputes, property disputes, etc.
- Fast Track Court: Fast Track Courts are established to expedite the disposal of cases and reduce the backlog. These courts prioritize cases involving women, children, senior citizens, and other vulnerable sections of society.
- Specialized Benches: In some local courts, specialized benches are constituted to deal with specific matters such as labor disputes, consumer disputes, motor accident claims, etc.
Overall, the types of benches in the Supreme Court, High Court, and local courts vary based on the level of significance and complexity of the cases. The Constitution Bench and Full Bench are constituted for important and complex matters, while the Division Bench and Single Bench handle routine cases. The establishment of specialized benches and fast track courts aims to ensure speedy justice and efficient disposal of cases.