Cabinet approves setting up of ‘Small Claims Court’

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved the establishment of a ‘Small Claims Court’ with the jurisdiction to hear cases below a specific monetary threshold. 

“The goal is to ease the caseload of the District Court which would then be able to hear disputes of a higher value more efficiently and also to introduce a faster, more efficient procedure for the recovery of smaller claims,” Justice Minister Ali Sabry’s Coordinating Secretary Attorney-at-Law Shamir Zavahir told the Daily FT.

“This is one of the key areas of focus of the justice reform program of the Ministry of Justice aimed at reducing law’s delays,” he added.

In a related development, the Government statement on Cabinet decision, said it had been recognised that a planned, target access with holistic and broad reformation was required to the Judiciary in order to pay attention on the issues causing delay of law and activate and empower the justice process since the delay of law in this country had reached a decisive stage. 

Accordingly, the Minister of Justice has appointed a committee chaired by Justice of the Appeal Court Dr. Ruwan Fernando to study the establishment of prior case trial and courts of first instance. 

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice for acting as follows considering the recommendations furnished by the said Committee. 

1. Amendment of Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 for enabling establishment of courts of first instance. 

2. Formulation of a draft bill to enable introduction of new laws to furnish provisions for the special procedure related to courts of first instance.