Introduction:

Well Known American Black Leader Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter from the Birmingham Jail to the Judge that Justice too much delayed is Justice denied. This piece of writing give fame to this Legal Principle and is commonly used by the world after so. So, what is Justice delayed is Justice denied in 2025, and the consequences, causes and possible solutions to overcome it, Lets debunk the whole concept together.

What is “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”:

Whenever there is delay happened in the verdict or resolution of the Judicial System, it means there is denial of Justice occurred because Justice is the second name of the expeditious and inexpensive process to give remedy or reparation to the victim or punishment to the convicted. So, delay in the Justice is directly proportional to the denial in the Justice.

For Example:

Party A has a property dispute with party B over the ownership. Both of them go to the Court for resolution of the issue. In reality, party A is the rightful legal owner of the aforesaid property but the suit is decided after 15 years and the verdict come in the favour of the party A’s Son. Why in party A’s son favour, because the party A died 5 years before the Verdict of the Court. Here, the Justice is not well served as of prolong delay.

Case Study:

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, one of the prominent, fierce and famous Leader of Pakistan got Justice after 45 years from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It was marked as the high profile case of the Justice delayed is Justice denied.

Pakistan top court says ex-PM Bhutto, hanged in 1979, was denied fair trial

History of Justice delayed is Justice denied:

This Legal Principle “Justice delayed is Justice denied” is used way before the known history. In 1868, UK Prime Minister William Gladstone utilize the aforesaid phrase but American Black Leader Martin Luther King Jr. give fame to it by writing a letter from the Birmingham Jail to the Judge and the main point in the letter was the mentioning of the Legal Phrase “Justice too much delayed is Justice Denied”. Now it is commonly used throughout the world against the injustices of delayed verdicts or decisions of the Court System.

Letter of Martin Luther King Jr. from Birmingham Jail

Main Causes of Delayed Justice:

The main causes from which the Justice is delayed are given below;

1. Less Number of Judges:

The less number of Judges is directly connected to the burden on the Courts as it is obvious whenever the Judges are less in number, there will be a lot of cases pending in the Courts and the dispense of Justice to be difficult.

2. Complications in Procedure:

The complication in the procedure of the Civil and Criminal law is the other obstacle in serving of the Justice system. From start of the case or suit which is filling and notices to the parties to the end of the case or suit which is decision or verdict of the Judges can significantly take the time of the court.

3. Poor Case Handling:

Poor case handling such as regular postponements and not timely decision contribute to the delay in the Justice. Poor management is the other main hurdle in the administration of the Justice.

4. Shortage of Resources:

The Judicial System of most of the countries lack the basic resources like judicial and clerical stuff and the presiding officer of the Court i-e. Judges which is the main hindrance in dispense of the Justice.

5. Burden on the Courts:

There is a lot of cases pending in the courts which too be handle by the judges with caution but sometime breach of Justice occurred because of inadequate judicial infrastructure and caseload. The burden of Justice is one the primary root cases of the delayed Justice.

Effects of Judicial Delays:

The main effects of judicial delays are given below;

1. Lengthy Pain for Sufferer:

The pain on the victim either in the civil suits or criminal cases are prolong due to the delays in the Court’s Proceedings. It impact the sufferer emotionally as well as psychological which makes them helpless and ignored by the system which is supposed to protect them.

2. Decline in Confidence in the Judicial System:

The Confidence of the Public is decline on the Judicial System whenever there is no timely decision announced by the Judicial System. The trust of the citizen is breached when there is less compliance on the rule of law and procedure.

3. Financial Burden:

The expenditure related to the case on both the parties in the shape of hiring the lawyer and on the state in the form of usage of resources related to the whole proceeding of the process is more. Thus, delays in the justice have direct negative implication on the victim as well as accused, especially in financial terms.

4. Influence on the Accused:

The personality of the victim is highlighted in the criminal cases which has a great impact on his future and the delay in the justice prove to be the last nail in the coffin as it is synonymously called as the soup drama of humiliation for the accused.

5. Breach of Fundamental Rights:

As per the Fundamental Rights, speedy justice and fair trail to be granted to the citizens of the state but here on the contrary, there is violation of the fundamental rights.

Solutions to Address Judicial Delays:

The solutions for the judicial delays are given below;

1. Digitalization of the Judicial System:

As per the situation of the cases in the judiciary, it is utterly needed to make the whole of the system digitally friendly.  The inclusion of well-versed technological developments will revolutionize the entirety of the Justice System.

2. Increase in number of Judicial Officers & Stuff:

The increase in the manpower for the judicial duty and work is substantial and integral. The ultimate increase in the appointment of the judges, prosecutors and other stuff to be effected. So that the judicial machinery work usefully.

3. Encouragement of ADR mechanism:

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) includes Mediation, Conciliation, Arbitration, Negotiation and other modes other than the formal process of the Court. The application of ADR mechanism will automatically overcome the burden on the Judicial, due to which the delays in the justice to be vanished.

4. Uncompromising Regulation on Adjournment:

The misuse of the adjournments to be discouraged on all levels of the lawyering. The Adjournment is useful in some urgent cases but for abuse of such relief, A proper and strict law to be passed by the legislature for that very purpose.

5. Cooperation between Judiciary and Legislation:

Efficient collaboration and dialogue to be conducted between the two pillars of the states i-e; Judiciary and Legislation for the betterment of the whole system and ensure resource allocation and support for reforms.

Conclusion:

A legal principle, “Justice delayed is justice denied” is not a hypothetical process but a harsh reality which is slap on the Judicial system of many countries especially the third world countries. Justice delayed is Justice denied is to be dealt with the prompt reforms to be applied and implemented for the prosperous future and development of the State. The delay in the justice is a stain on the beauty of the judicial system. Let’s take concrete steps for improving such trodden Court System, I have put my part while writing such piece which you have read till now.

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