Village courts vital

THE primary role of the Village Courts is to ensure peace and harmony in the communities in which they operate: Village Courts Act, s 57.
This is significant, in that it moves the emphasis of the role of Village Courts away from a winner/loser determination of disputes, and allows Village Court magistrates to take account of a larger group of people.
This may involve a compromise in a way that is acceptable, not just to the parties to a dispute, but also to the wider community
However, this is not the case with current scenario in terms of adjudication of matters fronting this third-tier courts.
Ultimately, Village court was established to provide justice to bulk of the population in rural settings.
This court also found in urban areas, and has mammoth task to dispense justice according to urban settings application.
The respective authorities have obligation to take not of this, as well as how this court is effectively functioning, and challenges faced in the urban settings.
One of the challenge and contradicting issue is land disputes in relation to state’s land adjudicated at the Village Court’s Jurisdiction.
Although it exceeds Village Court’s powers as prescribed in section 43 and 48 of the Village Court Act 1989, this court is contrary muscling its way to adjudicate the state’s land dispute matters.
Whether courts officials are deliberately, or knowing little of the Village Act 1989 amounts to question their credibility, sufficiency of law to abide by in dispensing justice accordingly.
Bulk of the populations in settlements are being victims of these courts presiding of matters like GBV, domestic violence, more, and becoming concerns and controversial issues.
Comprehensively, Village Courts lacks capacity in certain areas to effectively and efficiently carry out their constitutional functions.
For instance, bulk of the court officials are obviously aging individuals who have little or knowledge of the Village Court Act 1989, which regulates and administers the functions.
Thus, there is urgency for review of the conditions of services, appointment process of officials and improvement to court facilities deteriorating.
On top of that, village court magistrates and officials should be paid appropriately for the services they provide and should be appointed on merit.

Alex