The logjam need not be: A list of administrative means for reducing India’s painful judicial pendency SECTIONS The logjam need not be: A list of administrative means for reducing India’s painful judicial pendencyBy Share Synopsis One, SC should mandate summary disposal of all ‘hibernating’ PILs – those pending for more than 10 years before HCs – if they do not concern a question of significant public policy or law. There are writs pending before HCs couched in the garb of matters of public concern, seeking to undo a specific decision of a government body. TOI-Online It was reassuring to note that recently the head of the apex judicial institution, the outgoing Chief Justice of India had himself acknowledged the huge pendency of 3 crore cases in various courts. Indeed a recent study of judicial pendency commissioned by the Department of Justice through the Administrative Staff College has revealed some very glaring facts. The average waiting period for trial in lower courts is around 10 years and 2-5 years in HCs. While a detailed review of judicial processes is indeed necessary, here are a few other administrative suggestions to reduce judicial pendency.