Trial Courts Should not be Called ‘Lower Courts’: SC

Registry instructed to avoid ‘Lower Courts’ term in official references.

In a pivotal move, the Supreme Court mandates not to call Trial Courts ‘Lower Courts’, highlighting respect and equality in the judiciary.

DESK – The Supreme Court has instructed the Registrar (Judicial) to ensure adherence to its new directive regarding the terminology for Trial Courts.

The directive emerged during a session on Thursday, February 08, concerning an appeal hearing.

The matter at hand involved an appeal against convictions for murder and attempted murder, leading to life sentences.

The appellants, dissatisfied with their conviction by the trial court, challenged the verdict at the High Court.

The High Court upheld the conviction, affirming the prosecution’s case was incontrovertible, prompting the appellants to approach the Supreme Court.

During the proceedings, the Supreme Court sought a digital version of the trial court’s documents.

Subsequently, the Court emphasized the importance of referring to these documents as the Trial Court Record (TCR) instead of the Lower Court Record (LCR).

Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan underscored the change, advocating for a nomenclature that reflects respect towards all court levels.

This development was part of a criminal appeal review by a Division bench, dealing with serious charges under the Indian Penal Code.