Costs be imposed on parties seeking unnecessary adjournments:

A Parliamentary panel examining a bill to set up commercial courts in the country today recommended imposition of 'cost' on parties which seek unnecessary adjournment of court proceedings.
The Committee on Law and Personnel said it is of the view that adjournment should be "a matter of last resort and unnecessary adjournment should not be granted to the parties to delay a dispute resolution."
"The Committee, however, suggests that there should be a provision of a fee/cost to be paid by the party seeking adjournments beyond a definite limit and such fee/cost should progressively increase for subsequent adjournments," the report tabled in Parliament today said.

While the Standing Committee on Law and Personnel was examining the Courts Commercial Division and Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015 pending in Rajya Sabha, government brought an ordinance in October. A fresh Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha last week to replace the ordinance.
The Committee also said best international practices in Case Management System needs to be introduced for ensuring expeditious disposal of commercial disputes.
"Case management system should enhance the quality, responsiveness and timeliness of court and trained personnel may be provided to manage these courts so as to fast track the resolution of commercial disputes," it said.

The committee pointed out that as against five months (150 days) in Singapore, it takes nearly four years in India (1420 days) for enforcing a contract.
The government has been making internal corrections for easing business in the country. Judicial reforms in the form of providing fast track courts for resolving commercial disputes is one of them to instill confidence amongst domestic and foreign investors, it said.