Role and Functioning of Family Courts for the Protection of Women’s Rights in India

Family Courts have been established with a view to secure the speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs and for matters connected therewith, and promote conciliation therein. This paper examines the role of family courts in the protection of rights of women in India. Firstly, it introduces about the system and mechanism of administration of justice in the matters of matrimonial disputes under Indian Judicial system. The analyses the reasons, purpose and objects behind the establishments of family courts in India as well as also discusses provisions relating thereto. It also discusses the jurisdictions of family courts under the Family Courts Act, 1984 as well as under the protection of women from domestic violence Act, 2005. It also deals with the procedure prescribed under the Act for the family court in deciding cases before it. Moreover, it mainly emphasizes upon the role of family courts in protection of women’s rights, and how far it has proved itself upon the touchstone of the purpose and objects of the Act. Finally, this paper summarises the discussion with concluding critical remarks and some workable suggestions in order to enable the system of family courts to be more efficient in protecting women’s rights effectively.