Court on Trial: A Data-Driven Account of the Supreme Court of India / By Aparna Chandra, Sital Kalantry and William H.J. Hubbard

Introduction;
1. A 'People's Court?;
2. Explosion, Exclusion, Evasion: The Burden of Backlogs;
3. 'Face Value: The Power and Influence of Senior Advocates;
4. First Amongst Equals? Master of the Roster and Strategic Case Assignments;
5. People Like Us: Diversity (or Lack Thereof) in Judicial Appointments;
6. Pandering to the Political Branches: Short Tenures and Early Retirements;
7. Conclusion: An Accountable Court;
Acknowledgements;
Notes;
Index.

The Indian Supreme Court was established nearly seventy-five years ago as a core part of India's constitutional project. Does the Court live up to the ideals of justice imagined by the framers of the Indian Constitution? Critics of the Supreme Court point out that it takes too long to adjudicate cases, a select group of senior advocates exercise disproportionate influence on the outcome of cases, the Chief Justice of India strategically assigns cases with an eye to outcome, and the self-appointments process-known as the collegium-is just another 'old boy's network'. Building on nearly a decade of original empirical research, this book examines these and other controversies plaguing the Supreme Court today. The authors provide an overview of the Supreme Court and its processes which are often shrouded in mystery, and present data-driven suggestions for improving the effectiveness and integrity of the Court.