KOLLAM: The Kerala High Court has decided to evaluate the judges of the lower courts and grant promotion only if eligible.

The promotion of sub judges, chief judicial magistrates and district judges will be made only after analysis. The confidential reports of the judges will be prepared based on this. Though the new system is for promotion, it is aimed to make the judicial setup more efficient.

The HC was influenced by the mounting number of appeals and criticisms towards the lower courts.

From now on, the verdicts of the lower courts will get bigger attention. The new setup will also improve quality. The judges can select which of his verdicts can be sent for HC's consideration.

The evaluation will be out of 40 marks. There will eight criteria of evaluation and each will be given 5 marks. Promotion to the post of a district judge requires at least 20 marks.

The eight evaluating points are

1) Expert knowledge on law

2) Knowledge of procedures

3) The talent to find the real problem

4)The expertise to use law and procedure in cases

5) The clarity in verdict and thought

6)To deliver a verdict with clarity

7)The language and decency of the verdict

8) Do the challenges and arguments justify the verdict?