Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Complete Justice (Article 142)
Jurisdictional & Appellate Practice Terms
Definition
An inherent, sweeping constitutional power vested exclusively in the Supreme Court allowing it to pass any decree, directive, or order necessary for doing "complete justice" in any cause or matter pending before it, even where specific statutory procedural limitations exist.
Example
In Union Carbide Corporation v. Union of India, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to bypass standard procedural steps and record a comprehensive $470 million settlement to distribute immediate compensation to Bhopal disaster victims.