KATHMANDU, May 19: Chief Justice nominee Dr Manoj Sharma has unveiled an ambitious reform roadmap aimed at transforming Nepal’s judiciary into a faster, more transparent, technology-driven, and publicly accountable institution. Presenting his concept paper and action plan before the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, Sharma outlined sweeping reforms ranging from case management and judicial appointments to digital courts and administrative restructuring.
At the heart of the proposal is a commitment to reducing Nepal’s growing case backlog and ensuring timely delivery of justice. Sharma has proposed a target of resolving cases within a maximum of 18 months, a significant pledge in a judicial system where cases often remain pending for years. He stressed that “courts alone delivering verdicts is not enough,” arguing that fairness, transparency, dignity, and public trust must be reflected throughout the entire judicial process.
The proposed reforms also focus heavily on scientific workload management within courts. Sharma noted that uneven distribution of cases and imbalance in judicial workload have long affected efficiency. Under the new plan, case assignments would be determined based on complexity, nature of disputes, and required hearing time, with structured scheduling to ensure hearings and judicial tasks are completed on designated dates.
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To modernize the judiciary, Sharma has prioritized extensive use of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). His roadmap proposes expanding electronic court systems, reducing dependence on paper-based procedures, and integrating AI tools for document management, archive handling, data analysis, and administrative support. The plan also envisions a fully “IT-friendly judiciary” aligned with the concept of electronic courts.
In a move aimed at strengthening transparency and public confidence, Sharma has proposed live streaming of important court hearings, particularly in cases of public interest. He believes greater public access to judicial proceedings could enhance trust in the justice system and reinforce accountability.
The reform agenda further addresses longstanding controversies surrounding judicial appointments. Sharma has pledged to make appointments merit-based, transparent, and objective, with clear eligibility standards and regular Judicial Council meetings to ensure vacancies are filled within constitutionally mandated timelines. He has also proposed prioritizing appointments to the Supreme Court from among High Court judges and strengthening the constitutional bench so that its constitutional purpose is more effectively fulfilled.
Sharma’s 19-page roadmap additionally proposes reviewing court jurisdiction, restructuring specialized courts and tribunals, simplifying procedures, and forming a high-level study committee within a month to recommend reforms on case flow management, hearing systems, and judicial administration.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Sharma noted that the number of annual pending cases in Nepali courts has surged from around 107,000 in 2004 to more than 375,000 by mid-2025, while annual case settlements have increased fourfold during the same period. As of the end of the last fiscal year, more than 1,250 cases pending at the Supreme Court alone were over five years old.
The proposal also touches on judicial governance and internal accountability. Sharma has suggested digital surveillance and monitoring systems across all court levels, enabling regular supervision by senior judges and immediate reporting of irregularities. He also emphasized the need for organizational restructuring, staffing reviews based on workload, improved infrastructure, and increased budget autonomy for the judiciary.
Calling public trust the starting point of judicial reform, Sharma said confidence in the judiciary cannot be demanded but must be earned through effective service delivery and accessible justice. His roadmap is now drawing significant attention in political and legal circles, with many viewing it as one of the most comprehensive attempts in recent years to modernize Nepal’s judicial system.
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