September 24, 2026 – New Delhi: The Indian Law Institute (ILI) organised a Special Lecture on “Reforming State as a Litigant: The Case for a National Litigation Management Law”, focusing on government litigation, judicial pendency and the need for institutional mechanisms to improve the management of litigation by the State.
The lecture was delivered by Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Advocate, Supreme Court of India.
Government Litigation Reforms in Focus
During the lecture, Dr. Patra outlined the evolution of governmental efforts towards litigation reform. He referred to the National Litigation Policy of 2010, its revival in 2017, the government’s position in 2022, and fresh directions issued by the Department of Legal Affairs on 4 April 2025 concerning effective litigation management.
He also traced the judicial recognition of the “model litigant” principle, referring to decisions including Dilbagh Rai Jarry v. Union of India and State of Punjab v. M/s Geeta Iron & Brass Works Ltd.
The discussion centred on the State’s obligation to conduct litigation fairly and to avoid unnecessary or mechanical appeals.
Six Proposed Pillars for Litigation Management Law
The interaction discussed six proposed pillars for a National Litigation Management Law:
- A statutory model-litigant obligation;
- Nodal litigation officers;
- A smart filing and appeal policy;
- Mandatory alternative dispute resolution for identified cases;
- Technology-enabled litigation monitoring; and
- Parliamentary audit and oversight.
‘Merit Certificate’ for Appeals Discussed
Dr. Patra suggested that a proposed “Merit Certificate” for appeals should be issued to assess whether there is a genuine question of law, public interest, applicable precedent, financial implications and limitation before an appeal is pursued.
The discussion also considered an approach analogous to a “sunset clause” to bring purposeless litigation to an end.
Focus on Structured Framework for Government Litigation
The interaction provided a platform for continued academic engagement on reforming government litigation and developing a structured national litigation management framework.
The Welcome Address was delivered by Senior Prof. (Dr.) V.K. Ahuja, Director, Indian Law Institute. Dr. Parineet Kaur delivered the formal vote of thanks and brought the Special Lecture to a close.