IMPACT OF DELAYED JUSTICE ON THE ECONOMIC LIVES OF LITIGANTS: THE CASE STUDY OF CIVIL SUITS AT DISTRICT SWAT, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Our Judicial system is struggling to cope with the exponentially rising civil suits and criminal cases in almost all parts of the country. However, due to the perceived less importance of civil suits in comparison to the criminal cases, it often results in major delays while getting to the resolution. This delay in civil suits is not only impacting the litigants socially and psychologically but also economically. Therefore, this study tries to fill this gap by investigating the economic impacts of the delay in civil suits on the litigants as well as their families. For this purpose, we adopted a quantitative research approach and collected primary data from 361 respondents through an interview schedule. The respondents were selected through stratified random sampling on the criterion of pending cases before the courts at the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The results with 62% suggest that the actual cost of the cases for litigants was increased while 72% believed that this delay has put them under the financial constraints. The cost of the case and decrease in benefit for the litigants have significant association having P=0.00. While there was also a significant relationship between the civil suits and its negative impact on jobs or earnings and businesses of the litigants with P=0.00. It can be argued that quick resolution of civil suits will result in less financial burden on litigants while it can also help in saving their income sources and businesses which ultimately is helping their families.

Key Words: Civil suits, Delay, Economic impacts, Litigants, Civil justice.