The High Courts of India are the highest courts of appeal in each state. With reference to the High Courts of India, answer the following questions:
Explain the following with reference to the High Court: (a) Revisory Jurisdiction (b) Court of Record
Topic: Jurisdictions of the High Court
Answer
(a) Revisory Jurisdiction — the power of the High Court to call for the record of any case decided by a subordinate court and to examine it, in order to satisfy itself that the lower court has not exceeded its jurisdiction or committed a serious error of law or procedure. It may then confirm, alter or reverse the decision.
(b) Court of Record — the judgements and proceedings of the High Court are recorded and preserved for perpetual memory, and these records may be cited as precedents in the subordinate courts. As a Court of Record the High Court also has the power to punish for contempt of court.
Two marks for each term, so each needs a full explanation and not a one-line phrase. For Revisory, the key idea is that the High Court acts on its own to check a lower court, WITHOUT waiting for an appeal — that is what distinguishes it from Appellate Jurisdiction, and examiners look for the distinction. For Court of Record, both halves earn marks: records preserved as precedents, AND the power to punish for contempt. Giving only the first loses half.