$10 Trillion Economy Needs Robust Legal System: CJI Surya Kant Calls For Judicial Reforms

Speaking at the Rule of Law Convention 2026 organised by the Bar Association of India, the Chief Justice called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s legal architecture to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. He emphasised that investor confidence, critical for long-term capital inflow, depends on a legal system that is predictable, efficient, and grounded in good faith.

“A $10 trillion economy will not be built by capital or policy alone. It will be built in no small part by the quality of the legal system,” CJI Kant said, highlighting that institutional trust is central to sustaining economic growth. He noted that modern investments; whether in infrastructure, technology transfer, or global manufacturing, require long-term legal certainty and consistent enforcement of obligations.

The Chief Justice stressed that mechanisms like mediation could significantly enhance India’s economic competitiveness by reducing litigation burdens and fostering quicker dispute resolution. He also called for greater specialisation in commercial law and reforms in legal education to align with emerging economic realities.

Expanding on the judiciary’s role, CJI Kant reiterated that courts are not merely adjudicatory bodies but institutions that uphold the rule of law and reinforce public confidence. He observed that the legitimacy of the judiciary lies not only in sound decisions but also in accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness.

At a separate session on judicial transformation, the CJI highlighted the central role of technology in modernising the justice delivery system. Referring to ongoing digital initiatives, he said, “Technology has become a constitutional instrument, it strengthens equality before the law and expands access to justice.”

He pointed to the ambitious Phase III of the e-Courts project, backed by an outlay of ₹7,210 crore, as a “decisive reorientation” aimed at making courts fully digital and paperless. The vision, he said, is to create a “natively digital ecosystem” where justice is seamless, transparent, and accessible to all citizens.

CJI Kant noted that tools such as e-filing, virtual hearings, and live streaming of proceedings have already begun transforming court functioning. He also cited the Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS), an AI-driven translation platform, as a key initiative to make judicial decisions accessible in regional languages. "It seems to me that technology, by itself, is not the yardstick for advancement. At best, it can accelerate a process. But if the underlying processes remain cumbersome and rooted in outdated procedural structures, technology can provide only limited relief. It may improve convenience, but it cannot, by itself, bring about the structural reform that our justice system requires," he said, adding that the changes, which have been taken by the judiciary over the years, have marked the emergence of a new kind of system.

However, he cautioned that technology alone cannot resolve systemic inefficiencies. “If underlying processes remain cumbersome, technology can only offer limited relief,” he said, calling for structural reforms alongside digitisation.

Addressing concerns of accessibility, the Chief Justice highlighted the role of over 2,300 e-Sewa Kendras in bridging the digital divide by assisting litigants with case information, filings, and virtual hearings. He emphasised that digital justice must remain inclusive and not be dependent on a citizen’s economic or linguistic background.

CJI Kant concluded that true transformation lies not just in adopting new tools but in the commitment and integrity with which judicial responsibilities are discharged. “At the heart of the system will always remain a judge, guided by conscience, not convenience,” he said.