The Cabinet will today approve a judicial reform bill that gives guidelines for an overhaul of the legal system needed to cope with changing socioeconomic circumstances.

The bill will go before the current extraordinary Diet session after Cabinet approval, Cabinet secretariat officials said Thursday.

Soon after Diet enactment, the government will launch a Cabinet task force headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to promote judicial reform, as well as a subordinate secretariat.

In its three-year term, the task force plans to map out measures to promote judicial reforms and to draft necessary bills while adjusting views in consultation with other concerned parties, the officials said.

The bill calls for necessary budgetary and legislative steps to implement the measures outlined in the guidelines, as well cooperation from the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Nichibenren).

The bill follows a June 15 Cabinet decision to prepare for judicial reforms over a three-year period, following proposals submitted by the Judicial Reform Council -- an advisory council to the prime minister.

The proposed legislation has main policies including calling for easing public access to legal systems by accelerating court procedures, as well as enhancing alternative dispute resolution outside of court.

The basic policies also call for a substantial increase in the judicial population, preparation of law schools to this end and introduction of juries in criminal trials.