Justice As Economic Infrastructure: Judicial Modernisation, Digital Courts, And Economic Growth In Developing Economies
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 28
- 1 min read
Anant Srivastava, Founder and Lead Public Policy Analyst, Development Policy Lab INDIA, Delhi.
Mritunjay Pratap Singh, Research Scholar, Bennet University, Gr. Noida.
ABSTRACT
Discussions of economic infrastructure in developing economies typically focus on physical assets such as roads, ports, electricity networks, and digital connectivity. Far less attention has been paid to the role of judicial institutions in supporting economic activity. This paper argues that judicial systems should be understood as a form of economic infrastructure because they reduce transaction costs, enforce contracts, protect property rights, and create the institutional predictability necessary for investment and market exchange. Building on insights from new institutional economics, state capacity theory, and law-and-development scholarship, the paper examines how judicial modernization and digital court reforms contribute to economic development in developing economies.
Using a comparative analysis of judicial digitization initiatives in India, Brazil, and Kenya, the study explores the mechanisms through which improved judicial efficiency influences investment confidence, business formation, and economic performance. The findings suggest that digital reforms—including electronic filing systems, case management platforms, and virtual hearings—can strengthen institutional effectiveness by reducing delays and improving access to justice. However, the economic benefits of judicial modernization depend on complementary investments in administrative capacity and implementation. The paper concludes that judicial reform should be viewed not merely as a legal or governance initiative but as a development strategy with potentially significant economic returns. Recognizing justice as economic infrastructure broadens contemporary debates on state capacity, digital governance, and inclusive growth in developing economies.
