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Synopsis

Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Supreme Court of India, CJI DY Chandrachud on Sunday, January 28, has said efforts are to be made to bring different sections of the society into the legal profession.

"We need to make more efforts to bring different sections of the society into the legal profession, for instance the representation of Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes is quite low both at the bar as well as on the bench..", said the Chief Justice of India.

As the CJI commenced his address, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his presence at the ceremony. 

Justice Chandrachud also summarized the achievements of the court in simplifying the processes for a technologically enabled and efficient judiciary.

"Even yesterday one of my brother judges joined for a special hearing virtually...more than 13 lakh legacy and live case records have been digitised..", he added referring to the court's suo moto special hearing on an issue relating to the Calcutta High Court.

Referring to a change in the demographics of our country, the CJI emphasized on women being seen at important positions all across the country, even at the Supreme Court of India, with more than 50% of candidates selected at the judicial recruitments across states were women in the recent times.

"Before 2024, only 12 women were designated as senior advocates in 74 years..last week, 11 women coming from different parts of the country were designated as seniors..", CJI said.

Notably, while concluding his address, CJI Chandrachud highlighted four issues of 'difficult conversations' that must be discussed.

1. We must emerge out of the adjournment culture to a culture of professionalism.
2. We have to ensure that the length of oral arguments does not delay the judicial outcome and lead to the capture of judicial institutions by the powerful and the mighty.
3. The legal profession must provide a level playing field for all from marginalized segments who have the will to work hard and the potential to succeed.
4. Let us begin the conversation on long vacations, of course with the bar and see if alternatives such as flexi-time for lawyers and judges is possible.