India, March 4 -- A tendency among Central Ministries and Departments to file appeals against court orders as a "default reaction" rather than as a considered policy decision was flagged as a "key challenge" to curb litigation in which the Government is a party. At a recent conference on effective and efficient management of Government litigation, over two dozen Union Secretaries and top law officers recommended a clear appeal-filtering criteria in service and other matters, nomination of a designated officer in each department for coordinated handling of litigation, and mechanisms for time-bound implementation of court judgments so that repetitive and contempt litigation is minimised.

The conference, organised here on Saturday by the Un...