CORNWALLIS CODE

Cornwallis carried out judicial reforms known as the Cornwallis Code. Many types of ‘judges’ were appointed, and the judiciary was separated from the executive even at certain lower levels. The revenue courts in each district as also the judicial powers of the Board of Revenue were abolished and ‘judges’ tried all Civil cases. Criminal courts were set up, also presided over by regular judges.

The principles of the Code were:

The English system of separation of the executive from the judiciary was introduced at certain lower levels also.

The district Collector was divested of judicial and magisterial functions, so that he could concentrate on executive duties like revenue collection.

An elaborate system of appeals was introduced in civil and criminal suits; hence the courts were clearly graded from the lowest to the highest.

The Cornwallis Code, with all its defects, was the first step in a series of reforms which would make Indians gradually become accustomed to Britain’s legal system.