Registrar – A senior administrative officer in courts, managing court records,
processes, and daily operations.
• Clerk of the Court – Responsible for maintaining court files and records, assisting the
judges, and managing administrative duties.
• Sheristadar – Chief ministerial officer of a court, in charge of supervising clerical
staff and ensuring smooth court administration.
• Tamili (Process Server): A Tamili is a court official responsible for serving legal
notices, summons, and warrants to the parties involved in a case. They ensure that court
directives are delivered effectively and on time.
• Bailiff – A court officer responsible for executing court orders, including carrying out
property seizures or arrests as instructed by the court.
• Judicial Magistrate – A judge in a lower court who oversees minor criminal and civil
cases.
• Munsif – A judicial officer in charge of smaller civil cases, typically in the lowest tier
of the judicial system.
• Stenographer / Typist: A stenographer, is responsible for transcribing court
proceedings verbatim. Their work ensures that an accurate record of the hearings is
maintained for future reference.
• Copyist: A copyist prepares certified copies of court documents, such as judgments,
orders, and other legal records. These copies are crucial for parties involved in
litigation or appeals.
• Court Commissioner – An officer appointed by the court to carry out certain tasks
such as property inspections or dispute resolution under the court's directions.
• Nazir: A Nazir is responsible for managing financial transactions within the court,
such as handling deposits, fines, and payment of court fees. They also oversee the
execution of court orders related to property and auctions.
• Reader Naazir – A combination role found in some courts where the individual
handles both reading duties in court and administrative responsibilities, like the Naazir.
• Court Manager – A relatively newer position responsible for improving court
management, efficiency, and judicial processes.
• Amin – A court official tasked with measuring and verifying land or property in cases
involving property disputes.
• Ahlmad (Legal Clerk): An Ahlmad is a clerk in the Indian judiciary responsible for
maintaining court records and files. They ensure that case files are accurately
documented and made available for hearings.
• Reader (Bench Clerk/Peshkar/Presenter): A Reader assists the judge by managing
court schedules, calling cases, and recording proceedings. They also coordinate with
lawyers and litigants to ensure the smooth functioning of the court.
• Criminal Court Clerk: A criminal court clerk manages the administrative tasks in a
criminal court, including maintaining case files, assisting with the preparation of charge
sheets, and coordinating hearings. They ensure all necessary documents are available
during criminal proceedings.
• Civil Court Clerk: A civil court clerk handles the administrative responsibilities in
civil cases, such as maintaining dockets, scheduling hearings, and filing legal
documents. They serve as a vital link between the judiciary, lawyers, and litigants.
Ijlas (Session): Ijlas refers to a formal court session where judicial proceedings are
conducted. It encompasses the activities of judges, lawyers, and court staff during
hearings.
• Sarishta: Sarishta refers to the administrative department of the court responsible for
record-keeping, file management, and general administration. It ensures the smooth
operation of court-related paperwork and archives.
• Supardnama (Surety Document): A Supardnama is a legal document in which a
person agrees to take responsibility for another, typically in matters of bail or custody.
It serves as a surety bond for compliance with court orders.
• Malkhana (Court Property Room): Malkhana is a secure room within the court
premises where case-related property and evidence are stored. It is managed by a
custodian who ensures proper cataloging and safekeeping of these items.
• Causelist: A causelist is a daily or weekly schedule published by the court that lists the
cases to be heard on specific dates. It provides details such as case numbers, names of
parties, and the bench hearing the case.
• System Officer: A System Officer is an IT professional in the judiciary who manages
technical infrastructure, including case management systems and digital record
maintenance. They support e-governance initiatives and ensure seamless technology
integration in court operations.
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1. Naazir (Nazir/ Nazeer)
• Role: The Naazir is primarily responsible for handling non-judicial tasks in the court,
including managing court records, accounts, and the safekeeping of properties involved
in cases. The Naazir often deals with court fees, fines, and payments made as part of
judicial orders.
• Duties:
o Maintaining custody of money, documents, and property involved in litigation.
o Handling court fees, fines, and any other payments.
o Managing logistics for court assets and documents.
o In some courts, the Naazir also assists with the execution of court orders.
2. Registrar
• Role: A senior administrative officer who oversees the court's overall management and
administrative functions. The Registrar serves as a link between the judiciary and the
administrative staff.
• Duties:
o Supervising clerks, record-keeping, and managing court schedules.
o Handling the registration of legal documents, petitions, and appeals.
o Managing the allocation of cases to judges.
o Coordinating with advocates, litigants, and other court officials.
o Managing court’s budget and financial operations.
3. Sheristadar (Head Clerk/ Chief Ministerial Officer)
• Role: The Sheristadar is the chief ministerial officer of the court and supervises the
clerical and ministerial staff.
• Duties
Managing court records and ensuring timely processing of court orders.
o Supervising the preparation of summons, warrants, and other legal documents.
o Coordinating with other court staff to ensure the smooth functioning of court
operations.
4. Reader
• Role: A court assistant who helps the judge during hearings by reading out documents
and orders, calling out cases, and recording the progress of cases.
• Duties:
o Reading out orders, affidavits, and evidence during court proceedings.
o Assisting the judge by organizing case files.
o Calling cases in order as per the day’s schedule.
o Recording and maintaining the minute sheet of court proceedings.
5. Process Server
• Role: Responsible for serving court documents like summons, notices, and other legal
documents to parties involved in litigation.
• Duties:
o Personally delivering summons, warrants, and notices to the concerned parties.
o Reporting back to the court on the status of served documents.
o Assisting in the execution of court orders related to the presence of parties in
court.
6. Bailiff
• Role: An officer appointed by the court to execute court orders, such as evictions,
property seizures, or arrest warrants.
• Duties:
o Carrying out orders of attachment or seizure of property as directed by the court.
o Assisting in enforcing judgments, including eviction or repossession of
property.
o Ensuring that court orders are executed correctly and in compliance with the
law.
7. Judicial Magistrate
• Role: A judicial officer who presides over cases in the lower courts, handling minor
civil and criminal cases. Judicial magistrates are the first point of contact for many types
of cases.
• Duties:
o Hearing cases related to petty offenses, minor civil disputes, and other lower
jurisdiction matters.
o Passing judgments, imposing fines, and issuing sentences.
o Overseeing the conduct of trials and managing case hearings.
8. Bench Clerk
Role: A clerk who assists the judge in the courtroom by maintaining records of
proceedings and organizing court documents.
• Duties:
o Recording the judge's orders and rulings.
o Keeping case files up to date.
o Assisting in the smooth operation of court sessions by managing case schedules.
o Preparing the cause list (schedule of cases to be heard in a day).
9. Munsif (Subordinate Judge)
• Role: A judicial officer with jurisdiction over small civil disputes, often seen in lower
courts. The Munsif deals with cases involving smaller financial claims.
• Duties:
o Hearing civil cases related to land disputes, contracts, or property claims.
o Issuing judgments and orders for civil matters within limited financial
thresholds.
o Acting as the first point of contact for many civil litigations.
10. Typist/ Stenographer
• Role: Responsible for creating a record of court proceedings by typing or using
shorthand to transcribe spoken words. Stenographers are vital in maintaining accurate
documentation of court trials and hearings.
• Duties:
o Taking dictation from the judge or lawyers during hearings.
o Preparing legal documents like orders, affidavits, and judgments.
o Maintaining a verbatim record of what transpires during court proceedings.
11. Court Commissioner
• Role: A person appointed by the court to perform specific functions, such as inspecting
property, conducting inquiries, or resolving disputes outside the court premises.
• Duties:
o Conducting site visits and inspections as required by court orders.
o Reporting back to the court with findings from inquiries or inspections.
o Facilitating mediation between disputing parties, as directed by the court.
12. Reader Naazir
• Role: A combined role where the individual performs the duties of both the Reader and
Naazir, handling administrative and courtroom support tasks.
• Duties:
o Reading out orders and case summaries in court.
o Managing the safekeeping of documents and properties associated with cases.
o Assisting in maintaining court records and administrative functions.
13. Court Manager
Role: A position created to improve the efficiency and management of courts by
overseeing administrative tasks, improving court processes, and ensuring proper use of
resources.
• Duties:
o Streamlining court processes to improve efficiency.
o Managing human resources, finances, and infrastructure within the court.
o Implementing technology solutions to enhance court operations.
14. Amin
• Role: A court official who assists in property-related matters by measuring land and
inspecting disputed properties. Often involved in execution cases where property
boundaries are contested.
• Duties:
o Measuring land and verifying boundaries in property disputes.
o Assisting in the execution of court decrees related to property division.
o Preparing reports based on inspections and measurements to assist in court
decisions.
15. Superintendent
• Role: A senior administrative officer in courts, usually in charge of supervising the
office staff and ensuring the proper functioning of the court’s administrative wing.
• Duties:
o Managing office staff, including clerks, typists, and other support staff.
o Ensuring smooth handling of case files, court records, and legal documents.
o Overseeing the day-to-day administrative operations of the court.
16. Head Assistant
• Role: A senior assistant responsible for managing the workflow within the court office.
They often report directly to the Registrar or Sheristadar.
• Duties:
o Supervising junior clerks and administrative staff.
o Managing and maintaining legal documents and case records.
o Assisting in preparing case schedules and cause lists.