The Supreme Court on Monday directed the country's lower courts and tribunals to dispose of cases pending for more than five years on priority basis.

The administration of the apex court sent a circular regarding the direction to all the courts across the country, asking them to send the lists of dissolved cases as well as the pending ones within the first week of each month to the SC authorities.

According to the circular, some 28 lakh cases are under trial in the lower courts and tribunals, making the disposal process more complicated.