The Supreme Court has called for better
access to justice by advocating for the
establishment of Gram Nyayalayas (village
courts), which were recommended by the
114th Law Commission in 1986.
The Gram Nyayalayas Act, passed in 2008,
enables these village courts to operate
at intermediate panchayat headquarters,
however many states are yet to establish
them.
Intermediate panchayat is a second tier of
3-tier panchayat system in various states in
India that lies between gram panchayat and
district panchayat.
They can handle civil and criminal cases and
reduce the burden on higher courts.
Judges (Nyayadhikaris) can conduct hearings
in villages.
Gram Nyaya Layas follow natural justice
principles, subject to High Court rules.