Judicial Delays In India And The Role Of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): A Path To Reforming Civil Litigation
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Stuti Sarawagi, BA LL.B. (H), Symbiosis Law School, Pune
ABSTRACT
India in 2025 is grappling with a staggering arrear of more than 52 million pending cases in various courts according to the National Judicial Data Grid.1 The pending cases doubled in the last 20 years and at the disposal rate at which it is being done today, it would take more than 300 years to dispose of all the pending cases in India. Of these, over 180,000 have been pending for over three decades.2 The issue is especially severe in lower courts, which handle most of the filings and are beset by a massive shortage of judges. District and subordinate courts up to 2025 account for nearly 87% of the case backlog, which are around 4.5 crore against 5.1 crore with a rise of 0.63 per cent in more than a month.3
Backlogs of cases, a shortage of judges, and ineffective procedures are some of the major issues facing the Indian legal system. The number of pending cases continues to rise despite efforts to strengthen the judiciary, indicating the need for structural adjustments. The Law Commission's 245th Report stressed the need for judicial reform, particularly the use of technology to cut down on delays. AI-powered case management, video conferencing, and electronic filing have all been shown to speed up case resolution. In terms of quicker, less expensive, and more accessible conflict resolution, online dispute resolution, or ODR, provides a dependable option.
Case backlogs have decreased as a result of the adoption of operational ODR systems in the US, Canada, and Mexico. By improving access to justice, reducing case backlogs, and boosting efficiency, ODR may be used in India to support judicial reforms. However, for ODR to succeed, obstacles including public awareness, lack of legal frameworks, and digital literacy must be addressed. Modernizing the judiciary and delivering prompt justice can be facilitated by the integration of technology and online dispute resolution (ODR) into the Indian legal system.
