BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has introduced a Litigation Management System (LMS) with a standard operating procedure (SOP) to streamline handling of court cases, improve accountability and reduce delays by government departments in dealing with legal cases. The system features a digital case tracking module integrated with e-office for real-time monitoring. Departments must upload case details within 48 hours of receiving court orders.
The system mandates complete digitisation of litigation records and minimisation of physical file movement, stated the notification, issued by the principal secretary to the Law, Justice and Human Rights Department.
The notification, issued recently, pointed to the Karnataka High Court (Writ Appeal No. 20277/2025, Kalaburagi Bench) observation that highlighted delays, poor coordination and lack of accountability in government litigation.
The new system, developed in response to the high court’s order, will have a streamlined SOP to ensure timely action, clear responsibility and effective coordination, which will be monitored continuously.
The SOP states that a dedicated digital case tracking module will be developed that will capture and track issues like court orders received by each department, date of receipt, limitation period for filing appeals, stagewise movement of files within the department, tracking of cases, officer-wise responsibility mapping and more. The SOP stresses on appointing a litigation nodal officer who will monitor all litigation and coordinate with the panel of advocates.
Each case will be fixed on concerned advocates. These advocates must apply for a certified copy of the order/judgment within 48 hours of its pronouncement or disposal. Later, they should provide an opinion within seven days overseen by the Litigation Conducting Officer and Supervisory Officer. “Any delay shall be recorded and attributed to specific officers,’’ it warned.
System will link directly with office of advocate-general and govt advocates
The notification stated that all government litigation files connected to court orders and appeals will now be handled only through the e-office platform. This allows real-time tracking, helps spot delays quickly and makes officers accountable.
The physical file movement is allowed only in rare cases. The system will link directly with the office of the advocate-general and government advocates so that all communication requests, legal opinions and monitoring of delays happens digitally.
A centralised State-Level Litigation Dashboard will also be created that will give the chief secretary, Law Department and advocate general a single view of important data. The process will be fully electronic, transparent and closely monitored.
It will generate analytical reports on a monthly and quarterly basis, including department-wise compliance status, number of appeals and identification of stages where delays occur. “All departments shall ensure the implementation of SOP in its literal sense. Any deviation or lapses on the part of the department will be viewed seriously by the chief secretary,’’ it stated.