Integrated Judicial System
One System, One Law: The Supreme Court & High Courts
PART I — THE STRUCTURAL PARADIGM
THE UNIFIED ARCHITECTURE
Integrated System
- Unlike the USA (which has a dual system of courts: federal courts for federal laws, state courts for state laws), India has a **single integrated judicial system**.
- This unified system enforces both **Central laws as well as State laws**.
- The structure is pyramidal, with the Supreme Court at the top, High Courts below them, and a network of subordinate courts at the district level.
ARTICLE 124
The Supreme Court
- The **Apex Court** of India, inaugurated on January 28, 1950.
- It replaced the British Privy Council as the **highest court of appeal**.
- It acts as the guarantor of Fundamental Rights and the ultimate interpreter and guardian of the Constitution.
PART II — STATE JURISDICTION & HIERARCHY
ARTICLE 214
The High Courts
- The highest court of appeal in a state. Currently, there are **25 High Courts** in India.
- Parliament can establish a **common High Court** for two or more states/UTs (e.g., Bombay HC covers Maharashtra, Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli).
- Below the High Court is a hierarchy of subordinate courts (district courts, sessions courts, munsif courts) which operate strictly under its administrative and judicial control.
ARTICLE 141 & SUPERVISION
Hierarchy & Supervision
- **Article 141:** The law declared by the Supreme Court is **binding on all courts** within the territory of India.
- **Article 227:** Every High Court has the power of **superintendence over all courts and tribunals** throughout the territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction.
- This creates a seamless flow of appeals upwards, and binding precedents/orders downwards.