J&K Judicial Academy Organises Workshop on Soft Skill Development, Stress, Time, Court Management Techniques

SRINAGAR : The Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, under the guidance of the Governing Committee, organised a one-day workshop on “Soft Skill Development, Stress Management, Time Management, and Court Management Techniques” at its Srinagar campus.
The event was graced by Justice Rahul Bharti, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Member of the Governing Committee, who delivered the inaugural address and conducted the first technical session.
Welcoming the participants, Justice Bharti highlighted the evolving role of Judicial Officers as not only interpreters of law but also effective court managers, decision-makers, and leaders in ensuring sensitive justice delivery. He emphasized the importance of empathy, interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, and mindful judicial conduct to improve court efficiency and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
The 2nd technical session was delivered by Sonia Gupta, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, focusing on Time Management and Court Management Techniques. She underscored the significance of prioritizing urgent cases, equitable workload distribution, and leveraging digital tools to enhance judicial efficiency. Gupta stressed the importance of effective scheduling, systematic file management, use of technology for automation, and adopting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to reduce backlog and ensure swift justice.
The session also provided strategies for preventing burnout, balancing personal and professional life, and strengthening courtroom discipline while upholding dignity and decorum.
The 3rd technical session was conducted jointly by Dr. Arshid Hussain, Psychologist, and Afifa Afreen, RCI-Registered Clinical Psychologist, focusing on “Stress and Behavioural Management – Developing Self-help Techniques”.
The session introduced participants to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model, emphasizing psychological flexibility as a tool for managing professional and personal stress.
Practical exercises on mindfulness techniques helped officers cultivate present-focused, non-judgmental awareness, while strategies for self-motivation, values-based decision-making, and self-evaluation were discussed to enhance mental resilience.
The speakers also addressed the unique judicial stressors faced by officers, including heavy caseloads, high public expectations, and the emotional demands of decision-making.
Participants were encouraged to develop a personalized stress-management toolkit integrating mindfulness practices, balanced wellness strategies, and healthy coping mechanisms to maintain efficiency and overall well-being.
Concluding the workshop, Farhana Ali, Joint Registrar, J&K Judicial Academy, delivered the Vote of Thanks.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from judicial officers across the region.