Abhishek M. Singhvi, a distinguished Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and an eminent Member of Parliament, captivated the audience with his insightful inaugural address at the G20 Conclave.
New Delhi on March 27, 2024: Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a distinguished Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and an eminent Member of Parliament, captivated the audience with his insightful inaugural address at the G20 Conclave. This significant gathering, themed around the “Role of Lawyers and the Legal Profession in the Economic Development of G20 Countries,” explored the indispensable role of legal professionals in shaping global regulations and fostering economic progress.
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Abhishek M. Singhvi, serving as the Guest of Honour, opened his address by underscoring the critical nexus between nation-building and governance, which he asserted hinges on the unwavering pillar of the rule of law. He eloquently stated,
“The building of a nation is fundamentally dependent on the foundation of good governance that is controlled by the rule of law. Initiatives like G20 are based on certain essential creeds. These include clear collective action, universal outlook, global citizenry, transnational cooperation, synergy and collaboration ultimately all encompassed in that beautiful phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
Delving deeper into the crux of the conclave’s theme, Abhishek M. Singhvi highlighted the golden opportunity awaiting young lawyers. He emphasized their potential to mold the global regulatory landscape by interacting with an array of stakeholders, including policymakers, industrial magnates, and representatives of civil society. He remarked,
“There is an opportunity, especially for young lawyers, to actually participate and to actively shape global regulations by engaging with policymakers, industrial leaders and civil society.”
Drawing parallels with historical figures, Abhishek M. Singhvi reminisced about the profound influence of legally trained personalities who have left indelible marks on the tapestry of their respective nations. From the judicial corridors that witnessed the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to international luminaries such as Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela, he illustrated the pervasive impact of legal minds beyond mere courtroom battles.
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“The legal community has been at the forefront of the Indian national movement, India’s independence movement. We all know the legal connection from Mahatma Gandhi to Ambedkar to Nehru, Sardar Patel and others. What is less known is the contribution of legally trained persons in the G20 countries as well from Lincoln to Mandela! The contributions of these persons extended far beyond the courtroom. They shaped their respective nations for future generations and it is no exaggeration to say that legal profession is at the heart of industrialization and of economic growth. But all of them involve the principle of rule of law to see that contracts are enforced, to see that a level playing field exists for everyone, to see that disputes are either minimized or managed well, and that people and businesses are correctly advised about navigating these legal intricacies and jurisdictions.”
However, Abhishek M. Singhvi did not shy away from addressing the contemporary challenges brought forth by globalization. He pointed out the dire need for legal expertise in combating cross-border issues such as cybercrime and cyberterrorism, underscoring the necessity for global collaboration.
“The flipside is that crime and criminals do not respect either sovereignty or borders. Take cybercrime or cyberterrorism, for example. No one G20 country can deal with it alone. Lawyers must be at the forefront of designing the remediation and the preventive mechanisms. Collaboration, cooperation and coordination will be needed, even within the more limited confines of G20, because none of this can be handled by any entity alone.”
He concluded his address by calling on the legal fraternity to focus on harmonizing new regulations across various domains, particularly in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. This would include tackling challenges related to data privacy, security, and the ethical aspects of AI. Abhishek M. Singhvi emphasized the importance of lawyers in acting as neutral arbiters to ensure the smooth formulation of regulations and in resolving conflicts efficiently.
“Young lawyers must do work in areas of harmonization of new regulations and this applies not only to artificial intelligence, but to related subjects like data privacy, data security, mitigating bias in artificial intelligence systems. G20 lawyers here also should equip themselves to act as neutral third parties facilitate efficient regulations, and most importantly, create a paradigm or a mechanism for resolving conflicts.”
The G20 Conclave on the Role of Lawyers in the Legal Profession marked a significant milestone in understanding and appreciating the complex interplay between law, governance, and economic development on a global scale. Abhishek M. Singhvi’s address served as a clarion call for the legal community to rise to the challenges and opportunities of the modern era, firmly rooted in the principles of the rule of law and collective action for the greater good.
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