High Court's power of superintendence
Also called: Article 227 · Topic: Justice Delivery: Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Legal Aid and Judicial Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Under Article 227, a High Court supervises all courts and tribunals in its territory. The one exception is military courts and tribunals. The purpose is to keep these bodies within their powers so they work properly. This power matters because many tribunals deal with ordinary people's disputes, and it makes sure a higher court is always checking them.
Example
A tribunal that hears service disputes inside a state comes under the High Court's superintendence. A court-martial of army personnel does not.
Don't confuse with
- High Court's control over subordinate courts (Article 235): this covers the posting, promotion, leave and discipline of lower-court judges. Article 227 is a wider supervisory power over both courts and tribunals.
Related concepts
- Subordinate courts
- District judge
- Sessions court
- Judicial magistrate
- Executive magistrate
- High Court's control over subordinate courts