Over 150,000 Cases Await Settlement Across Judicial System

The backlog of unresolved cases in Nepal’s judicial system has reached a staggering figure of 158,147, encompassing both the Supreme Court and subordinate courts and tribunals.

Chief Justice Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha presented the annual report of the Supreme Court, Judicial Council, and Judicial Service Commission for the fiscal year 2079/80 BS to President Ramchandra Paudel today. According to the report, a total of 339,990 cases and writs were registered at various levels of the judicial hierarchy since the last fiscal year, with an additional 180,139 new cases filed in the current fiscal year.

Despite efforts to expedite the legal process, only 181,843 cases and writs, accounting for 53.48 percent of the total, have been resolved thus far. Of particular concern are the 38,933 cases and writs pending in the Supreme Court, including those transferred from previous years and newly registered ones. Only 28.44 percent of these cases have been disposed of, leaving 27,860 awaiting resolution.

At the level of high courts and benches, out of 62,854 cases and writ petitions, 61.84 percent have been disposed of, but 23,986 cases remain unresolved. Similarly, the District Courts grapple with a backlog of 104,430 cases, with 55.53 percent of the total disposed of, leaving a significant number pending adjudication.

Even at lower levels, the burden of unresolved cases persists, with 44.41 percent of cases across other courts and tribunals remaining unsettled.

Article 138 of the Constitution mandates the Supreme Court to submit its annual report to the President, highlighting the state of the judiciary and key challenges facing the legal system. As the backlog continues to grow, addressing the issue of case pendency remains a critical priority for Nepal’s judicial authorities.