SETTING NORMS FOR AND MANAGING THE PROCESS OF EVALUATION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS

THE NEED FOR EVALUATION To identify and establish institutional objectives To try and attain such goals To set standards of performance based on the purpose of the institution and its desired objectives

MANAGEMENT OF EVALUATION (INSTITUTIONAL) To focus on purpose and goals To make course corrections To plan systemic changes

INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION To promote performance To check, arrest and weed out non- performance

USE TO THE INSTITUTION Help identify merit based on institutional parameters Help detect personal deficiencies for correction Help discover the rotten apples

MODE OF EVALUATION Set the parameters Determine the modes for assessment Arrive at the parameters and the method of assessment in consultation with judicial officers

THE PRESENT SYSTEM Unit method Judgments appraisal Complaints Subjective personal perception

THE DESIRED PROCESS Based more on objectivity or, at least, subjective satisfaction of objective criteria Based more on promoting merit and good quality A process in which comparison would be possible Demerit should be dealt with in punishments, unless used as a tool in comparison

WHAT SHOULD BE THE ATTRIBUTES (I) Patience in hearing (qualified) Behaviour Acumen and knowledge Disposal Perception as to integrity Quality of judgments Punctuality – in court, in orders and in making orders available

ATTRIBUTES (II) Speed in understanding Communication with lawyers in court Quality of judgments Clarity in judgments and orders Speed of disposal Equal treatment to all Openness of mind

SUGGESTIONS Qualities and attitudes Functional skills Domain skills Knowledge

QUALITIES AND ATTITUDES Faith in Constitutional values Personal rectitude Commitment to personal service Openness and human empathy Vision Decisiveness

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS Listening, including active listening Reading Speaking Writing Analysis – logic and reasoning English language and communication (including non-verbal communication) Dispute settlement, negotiation, bargaining abilities

DOMAIN SKILLS Appreciation of facts Finding and appreciation of the law Judging and decision-making; responsiveness in judging Managing the adjudication process; teamwork abilities Judgment writing Administrative abilities Foreseeing the impact of judicial decisions

KNOWLEDGE Basic legal knowledge Awareness of key social challenges, including the history of the Constitution Jurisprudence Development of the laws

FINALLY Identification of who will assess Allocation of weights to the different parameters Use of technology both in evaluation and in managing the process of evaluation