• Dr. Moatoshi Ao

The Village Councils in the State of Nagaland has been the sole organ that has administered the society. The whole village is involved in making policy decisions and its execution is assigned to different age groups of the village. Disputes within the village are settled by the Council in accordance with customs and usages. This customary system continued posts the Indian independence and the state enacted laws prescribing minimum procedures to be followed by the Village Courts. However, the Village Courts and the laws enacted by the State for its regulation are not free from defects. This paper therefore studies the various provisions relating to the establishment, composition, qualifications, disqualifications and removal of members, powers, duties, functions and procedures to be adopted by the Village Courts and Councils in its function of administering justice. Being the primary court, it has a vital role in management of the society and therefore the higher judiciary scrutiny of its functions and orders are indispensable. The paper therefore studies the settlement of disputes by the Village Court and its legality in the light of the High Court and Supreme Court judgements. The paper concludes with the advantages and disadvantages associated the Village Courts suggesting policy and legal reforms.

Village Council, Village Court, Original Court, Primary Court.

"The Primary Courts of Nagaland: A Legal Review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 3, page no.e736-e747, March-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2203498.pdf

"The Primary Courts of Nagaland: A Legal Review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 3, page no. ppe736-e747, March-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2203498.pdf