The Judicial Reform of Lord Warren Hastings
Lord Warren Hastings introduced a series of judicial administrations in 1772 alongside the system of revenue administration which went to laid on the foundation of Adalat system in Indian. Under this scheme the territory of Bengal was divided into multiple district and in each district an English or an British official of the the company who was responsible for the collection of revenue alongside having the judicial power. He established a hierarchy of court i.e.
- Small cause courts at the village or Pargana level to deal with the small or pity cases.
- Mofussil Diwani Adalat and Mofussil Nizamat or Faujdari Adalat.
- Sadar Diwani or Sadar Nizamat and Faujdari Adalat. In 1774, he introduced certain changes in the system of Adalat i.e.
- The collectors were replaced by Amils or Diwans who were appointed in each district. He was to act as revenue collector as well as judge of Mofussil Diwani Adalat.
- The territory of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha were divided into 6 divisions headquarters at Calcutta, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Dinajpur, Dacca and Patna.
- A provincial court of appeal was established in between the Sadar Diwani Adalat at the top and Mofussil Diwani Adalat below it.