Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 16 Organs of Government: Judiciary Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Organs of Government: Judiciary
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What are the different ways in which the Judiciary is organised?
Answer:
There are three methods of organizing the judiciary which are as under:
1. Election by the people.
2. Election by the legislature.
3. Appointment by the executive.
1. Election by the People:
Under this method the judges like the members of the legislature and the executive are elected by the people. In some States of U.S.A. and Switzerland this method has been adopted. But this method is considered as defective. A popularly elected judge can never remain independent, impartial and honest. Laski says that of all the methods of appointment of judges, the method of popular election of judges is the most defective.
Firstly, the people are not wise enough to judge the qualities of a person whom they elect, to be the judge. Secondly, the judges will be elected on the basis of political parties. Thirdly, he cannot perform his duties sincerely because he will do everything to secure his re-election. Fourthly, to get elected he will make use of so many corrupt practices. A judge elected through popular election cannot deliver the goods properly.
2. Election by the Legislature:
In certain States the judges are elected by the legislature of the State. This system prevails in Russia, Switzerland and certain States of U.SAL. The judges elected this way cannot be impartial and honest. The judges will remain under the influence of the political parties. This method is also not without defects.
3. Appointment by the Executive:
Appointment by the executive is most common and most satisfactory method for the choice of the judges. It prevails in Great Britain, dominions as well as the federal government of U.S.A. and some states of U.SA. and in India also. Though political considerations play a part in making the selection, But once appointed the judges are independent and are not under the influence of the executive. The method makes way for the independence of the judiciary.
The executive is considered to be best qualified agency for the appointment of trained and skilled lawyers to the post of the judges. The executive should appoint the judges in consultation with the Chief Justice or the Public Service Commission. A judge who is appointed on the basis of merit will always be impartial and independent. He will not do anything under pressure.
Question 2.
Discuss the importance and functions of Judiciary in a modern state.
Or
Describe in brief the functions of the Judiciary.
Answer:
Judiciary is the third organ of the government. This organ is no less important than the other two. Its function is to do justice. The judiciary punishes all those people who break the law. It decides the disputes which arise between the State and the citizens. Peace in the State can only be established if the disputes of the people are decided peacefully. The judiciary plays a very important role in maintaining peace in the State.
Importance of Judiciary:
Justice is the very foundation of the State. Without the judicial organ there can be no State worth the name. Its function is to interpret the laws, to apply them to individual cases of the criminals, to defend the innocent. Protection of the rights of citizens is impossible without the courts of law. In the words of Lord Bryce, “There is no better test of excellence of a government than the efficiency of its judicial system.” The judiciary is rightly called the shield of innocence and the guardian of civil rights.
In the modem State the judiciary plays an important role. In dictatorship the judiciary is subordinate to the executive. In the past also the executive branch of the government controlled the judicial branch. In Cuba even now-a-days the judiciary renders every possible assistance to the executive and those who challenge the authority of the executive are punished by the judiciary. But in a democratic State the judiciary enjoys a different place.
It punishes the law breakers and does not permit the legislature and the executive to misuse the powers. It saves the people from the excesses of the government. An individual can move the court if the executive does something wrong to him. J.R. Marriott is of the view that justice delayed is justice denied. If the justice is delayed and the justice is not really done to the people, then the life and property of the people cannot be safe. According to Gamer, “We cannot imagine a State in the absence of judiciary.”
Functions Of Judiciary:
The main function of the judiciary is to decide all those disputes which come before it. Besides deciding disputes, the judiciary is to perform so many other functions also. All those functions are given as below:
1. Decision of Disputes:
The judiciary applies the existing law to individual cases. It is not concerned with the question whether the existing law is good or bad, just or unjust, so long as it is on the statute book, the judiciary will punish those who break it. The cases which come before the judges are normally of two kinds-civil and criminal.
The appeals against the decisions of the lower courts can be made to the higher courts. Military courts deal with those persons who are guilty of the breach of military discipline. The cases of the labour are settled by the labour tribunals. The judiciary decides cases according to the law of the land. When a person is accused of violating any provision of law, he is usually brought before one of the courts. The judges hear the evidence, and decide whether he is guilty or not.
2. Interpretation of Laws:
The laws are framed by the legislature and are enforced by the executive. Sometimes the people are not clear about the meaning of certain provisions of the laws. Each word denotes so many meanings and everybody interprets those words in such a way as it suits his own interests.
Such terms, clauses and words are to be interpreted by the judiciary. The interpretation given by the judiciary is always considered to be the correct and a just one. This interpretation of the law is accepted all over the country. The judiciary also interprets the Constitution of the State. While interpreting the Constitution the judiciary keeps in view the objects for which the legislature had made a particular provision.
3. Making of Laws:
If the law is not clear or the law does not cover the case, the judges have to decide the meaning of the law or create new law. The decision given by the High Court is binding on lower courts when dealing with similar cases. The judges add flesh and blood to the dry bones of law by their interpretations and judgments.
The U.S. Supreme Court has done a lot in this respect. It has removed all the flaws and filled all the gaps of the original Constitution. In certain cases the judge is guided by his common sense and tries to arrive at a fair judgement. Such a judgement serves as a precedent for other judges. It is called: a judge-made law.
4. Protection of Fundamental Rights of the Citizens:
In the modem democratic States, the citizens are granted many fundamental rights. These rights are very essential for the development of an individual personality. These fundamental rights are to be protected so that the executive or the legislature may not violate them.
Fundamental rights can only be Properly protected by the judiciary. If the legislature in India makes a law which is opposed to fundamental rights or the executive issues an order which is a sheer violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens, the judiciary can reject such an order. It is the sacred duty of the judiciary to safeguard the fundamental rights of the people.
5. Protection of the Constitution:
Judiciary sometimes acts as the guardian of the Constitution. In the States having rigid Constitution, the different legislative bodies in the State are working within the constitutional limit. In the States having rigid and a federal Constitution the judiciary possesses the right to declare an act of the legislature or the executive as unconstitutional or ultravires, if it is beyond the authority of the legislature or the executive. The power belongs to the Supreme Courts of U.S.A. and India.
6. Advisory Functions:
The courts in some countries give advisory opinion when requested to do so by the interested persons or by the executive or the legislature. In England the practice to request a court to give a declaratory judgement is very common. The Crown sometimes asks the judicial committee of the Privy Council to give its advisory opinion upon questions of law.
In India the President may ask the opinion of the Supreme Court on the question of law. The heads of the department can also seek the advice of the judges on some great political issues having some legal implications. The advisory opinion of the judges is however not binding on them.
7. Other Functions:
Judiciary also performs such functions as are not strictly judicial in character but they are performed by the courts on grounds of economy and convenience. It appoints receivers of bankrupt bodies, manages the estates of deceased persons, appoints guardians and trustees, naturalises aliens, grants certain licences, performs marriages and appoints certain officials. In India the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court administers the oath of the office to the President of India. In certain States the judges hold investigations into certain matters.
Sidgwick says, “In determining a nation’s rank in political civilization no test is more decisive than the degree in which justice as defined by a law is actually realised in its judicial administration.”
Question 3.
What is meant by Independence of Judiciary? How can it be secured?
Answer:
Meaning of Independence of Judiciary:
Judiciary is an important organ of the government. Its main function is to apply the existing laws to the individual cases and to administer justice. Protection of the rights of the people is not possible without courts of law. It is very essential that there should be a judicial department to ascertain and decide rights, to punish crimes, and to protect the innocent from injury. The judiciary in a civilized State must be independent.
Independence of judiciary means that it should be efficient, honest and impartial in giving its judgement. It should be free from any outside control of the executive or the legislature. The judge should be free to decide cases according to law in a bold and fearless manner. He should be granted independence of judicial tenure so that he should be able to administer justice with impartiality and according to law.
Importance:
Independence of judiciary is essential in every civilized State as only then justice can be given and individual rights can be safeguarded from their violation by government officers. Without an independent judiciary, efficient and impartial justice is impossible. In case the judges are partial and timid, peace and order situation in the State will dome to the lowest ebb. The life and liberty of each individual will not be safe.
An impartial judiciary can provide right and speedy justice. Justice delayed means justice denied. In the absence of independent judiciary, individual liberty is in danger. Judiciary is to act as the guardian of the law and rights of the people. It is to protect rights from encroachment by private individuals or by the government and this can be possible only if the judiciary enjoys independence. Moreover, the only way to fight against executive high-handedness and interference is through an independent judiciary.
The judiciary must be free from the control of the legislature and the executive. In the absence of independent judiciary the Constitution would become a plaything in the hands of contending parties in countries with a rigid Constitution such as U.S.A. or India. The judiciary plays the role of the guardian of the Constitution.
It declares illegal any law passed by the legislature or any order issued by executive if it goes against some provisions of the Constitution. It keeps the executive and the legislature within their proper limits. According to the U.S. President Taft, the judiciary should remain impartial in all matters whether it is between the minority community and the majority community or between the strong and the weak.
Factors Which Establish Independence Of Judiciary:
1. Appointment of Judges:
Only those judges can remain independent who are appointed on the basis of merit. If the appointments of the judges are made unjustly or on recommendation, the judiciary can never remain independent. The judge will always remain under the influence of the appointing authority. There are three methods for making appointments of the judges:
(i) Election by the people.
(ii) Election by the legislature.
(iii) Appointment by the executive.
(i) Some people are of the opinion that the judges like the members of the legislature and the executive should also be elected by the people. In some States of U.S.A. and Switzerland this method has been adopted. But this method is considered defective. A popularly elected judge can never remain independent, impartial and honest.
(ii) In certain States the judges are elected by the legislature of the State. This system prevails in Russia, Switzerland and certain States of U.S.A. The judges elected in this way cannot be impartial and honest. The judges will remain under the influence of the political parties. This method is also not without defects.
(iii) Appointment by the executive is most common and most satisfactory method for the choice of the judges. It prevails in Great Britain and the British dominions as well as in the federal government of U.S.A. and some States of U.S.A. and in India also.
2. Security of Service:
The judges can remain independent only when they enjoy – security of service. The judges should not be afraid of losing their job. They should feel quite safe about their post. If any other organ has the right to remove a judge from the post, the judge cannot remain impartial and Just.
A judge won’t be able to deliver a decision against that person or persons who has/have the authority to remove the judge. No judge would like to put his job at stake. Therefore the judge would not be removed from the post so far as he is performing his duties honestly and sincerely. The executive should not be given the power to remove judges. But it does not mean that a judge can do whatever he likes, and his services cannot be terminated before he reaches the age of retirement.
This may lead to the misuse of authority by the judge. The method of removal of judges should be difficult. The judges of the Supreme Court of India can be removed only if both the Houses of the Parliament pass a resolution by a two-thirds majority. The judiciary can remain independent only if the method of the removal of the judges is not an easy one.
3. Tenure of Office:
The tenure of office of the judges should be sufficiently long. Almost in all the countries the tenure of the office of the judges is longer as compared to that of other government servants. There are so many reasons for the same. If the judges are appointed for a short period they cannot be honest. They will try to amass more and more wealth during this short span of time because they are not sure whether they will be able or not to earn their livelihood after the retirement. A long tenure is also good because a judge gains experience and comes to know about the technicalities of law. An experienced judge will do better justice. In U.S.A. a judge can continue on the post till life. In India the judges of the supreme court retires at the age of sixty-five.
4. Good Salary:
The judges should be paid a very handsome salary and then only they can remain impartial and honest. Financial difficulties may make a judge corrupt. If the judges are not paid decently they won’t be able to meet their needs properly. With a meagre salary the judges cannot maintain a good standard of living. The judges are to decide cases involving huge amounts and in such cases they can be tempted to accept bribe. If the judges accept illegal gratification, they cannot remain impartial. At present the Chief Justice of India is paid a salary of Rs. 2,80,000 per month and other Judges Rs. 2,50,000 per month.
5. Free from Economic Worries:
Besides giving good salary to the judges, two more things should be taken notice of. Their salary should be safe and secure. So far as the judge is in service his salary should not be reduced. The judges should be paid pension after retirement so that they are not worried about their livelihood after the retirement. If the judges are not given old age pension then they may use corrupt means to amass wealth for the old age. The economic condition of the judge should be quite sound so that he is never worried about his economic lot. If the judge is free from economic worries he will never go corrupt.
6. Qualifications:
For maintaining the independence of judiciary it is quite essential that the judges should be appointed on merit. The appointment of the judges should be based on certain definite qualifications. The judges should have a thorough knowledge of law. If the knowledge of law for the appointment of judges is not made compulsory, then people not having the knowledge of law may be appointed for the job.
We cannot expect justice from such judges. In India only that person can become the judge of the Supreme Court who either has served as a High Court Judge for a period of five years or has been an advocate of the High Court for a period of 10 years or is a distinguished jurist in the eyes of the President of India. Experience tells us that only the experienced advocates become good judges.
7. Separation from the executive:
The judiciary should be kept free from the influence of the executive. The judiciary should enjoy the power of performing functions which concern the executive. If the judiciary is under the executive or both the judicial and executive powers are in the same hands then the judges cannot remain impartial.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Which method do you think is the best for the appointment of the Judges?
Answer:
Among various methods of appointment of judges appointment by the executive is most common and most satisfactory method for the choice of the judges. It prevails in Great Britain, dominions as well as the federal government of U.S.A. and some states of U.S.A. and in India also.
Though political considerations play a part in making the selection, when once appointed the judges are independent and are not under the influence of the executive. The method makes way for the independence of the judiciary. The executive is considered to be best qualified agency for the appointment of trained and skilled lawyers to the post of the judges. The executive should appoint the judges in consultation with the Chief Justice or the Public Service Commission. A judge who is appointed on the basis of merit will always be impartial and independent. He will not do anything under pressure.
Question 2.
Explain the main functions of the Judiciary.
Answer:
The main important functions of the Judiciary are as follow:
1. Decision of Disputes:
The main function of judiciary is to decide disputes of the citizens. It decides all those cases which are brought before it. The cases which come before the judges are normally of two kinds-civil and criminal.
2. Interpretation of Laws: The judiciary interprets the law and interpretation given by the judiciary is final.
3. Advisory Functions:
In certain countries the judiciary performs advisory functions also. The President of India can seek the advice of the supreme court in any matter, but the executive is not bound to abide by the advice of the judiciary.
4. Protection of Fundamental Rights:
It is the sacred duty of the judiciary to safeguard the fundamental rights of the people. If the legislature makes a law which is opposed to fundamental rights of the citizens or the executive issues an order against fundamental rights, the judiciary can such an order.
Question 3.
What is the meaning of Independence of Judiciary?
Answer:
The judiciary in a civilised State must be independent. Independence of judiciary means that it should be efficient, honest and control of executive or the legislature. The judge should be free to decide cases according to law in a bold and fearless manner. He should be granted independence of judicial tenure so that he should be able to administer justice with impartiality and according to law.
Question 4.
Discuss the factors which establish Independence of Judiciary.
Answer:
The following factors are essential for establishing an independent judiciary in a state:
1. Appointment of Judges:
There are three methods for making appointments of the judges. But the appointment by the executive is most common and most satisfactory method for the choice of the judges. Only those judges can remain independent who are appointed on the basis of merit.
2. Security of Service:
The judges can remain independent only when they enjoy security of service. The Judges should not be afraid of losing their job. They should feel quite safe about their post.
3. Tenure of Office:
The tenure of office of the judges should be sufficiently long. If the judges are appointed for a short period they cannot be honest. A long tenure is good for better justice.
4. Good Salary:
The judges should be paid a very handsome salary and then only they can remain impartial and honest. Financial difficulties may make a judge corrupt.
5. Qualifications:
For maintaining the independence of judiciary it is quite essential that the judges should be appointed on merit. The judges should have a thorough knowledge of law. Experience tells that only the experienced advocates become good judges.
Question 5.
Discuss .the relationship between Judiciary and Executive.
Answer:
Though in many democratic countries Judiciary is separated from the executive, yet there is a close relation between the two. In India, U.S.A. U.K. etc. judges are appointed by the executive. In some countries the executive is permitted to consult judges and seek advisory opinion of the Courts on constitutional questions. In India, the President has power to consult the Supreme Court. Chief executive is generally exempted from the jurisdiction of the Court so long as he remains in office.
But the subordinates of the chief executive are not exempted from the jurisdiction of the judiciary. Because the chief executive has to carry on administration largely through the subordinates, the judiciary has indirectly a large measure of control on the activities of the executive. In certain countries executive is given the prerogative of pardon. In India, the President has a power to grant pardon. Neither the executive should be given supreme authority nor the executive should be controlled by the Judiciary.
Question 6.
Discuss the relationship of Judiciary and Legislature.
Answer:
The main function of the legislature is to make laws and the judiciary interprets and applies-these laws to specific cases. But sometimes one usurps the functions of the other, and as such has some controlling influence on its activities. In certain countries the judiciary.possesses the right to declare an act of the legislature as unconstitutional or ultravires, if it is beyond the authority of the legislature. In U.S.A. and in India, Judiciary is really the guardian of the Constitution.
Moreover, the judiciary by its interpretation of law and constitution creates new law. The interpretation given by the judiciary is always considered to be correct and just one. In almost all the states the legislature enjoys certain judicial functions. In India and in U.S A. judges can be impeached by the legislature. In Canada even the divorce cases ar,e heard by the legislature. In Switzerland, the parliament enjoys the right of pardoning criminals.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Explain the main functions of the Judiciary.
Answer:
1. Decision of Disputes:
The main function of judiciary is to decide disputes of the citizens. It decides all those cases which are brought before it. The cases which come before the judges are normally of two kinds-civil and criminal.
2. Interpretation of laws: The judiciary interprets the law and interpretation given by the judiciary is final.
Question 2.
What is the meaning of Independence of Judiciary?
Answer:
The judiciary in a civilised State must be independent. Independence of judiciary means that it should be efficient, honest and control of executive or the legislature. The judge should be free to decide cases according to law in a bold and fearless manner.
Question 3.
Discuss any two factors which establish Independence of Judiciary.
Answer:
The following factors are essential for establishing an independent judiciary in a state:
1. Appointment of Judges: There are three methods for making appointments of the judges. But the appointment by the executive is most common and most satisfactory method for the choice of the judges.
2. Security of Service: The judges can remain independent only when they enjoy security of service. The Judges should not be afraid of losing their job. They should feel quite safe about their post.
One Word to One Sentence Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Write down any one function of Judiciary.
Answer:
The main function of Judiciary is to decide disputes of the citizens.
Fill in the blanks:
1. The …………………….. interprets the Constitution of the state.
Answer:
Judiciary.
True or False statement:
1. Independent Judiciary is important to make democracy successful.
Answer:
True.
Choose The Correct Answer
Question 1.
In which of the following state Judiciary is having power of Judicial Review?
(A) China
(B) U.S.A.
(B) England
(D) Japan.
Answer:
(B) U.S.A.
Question 2.
In which of the Allowing state Judiciary is Independent:
(A) China
(B) North Korea
(C) India
(D) Iraq.
Answer:
(C) India