Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said access to justice cannot remain an abstract ideal limited to the legally empowered. He stressed it must produce outcomes for the last person in line, restoring marginalised citizens’ faith in justice.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized that access to justice should not remain an intangible ideal only for those with legal knowledge; it must lead to tangible outcomes for marginalized individuals.
Speaking at the 11th biennial meeting of Commonwealth Judicial Educators, CJI Kant remarked that judicial leadership should extend beyond mere administrative roles and institutional hierarchies, encompassing both intellectual and ethical dimensions.
The CJI stated,
“Access to justice cannot remain an abstract ideal reserved for the legally empowered. It must translate into real outcomes for the last person standing in the line, the marginalised citizen whose faith in the justice system rests upon its accessibility, responsiveness and humanity,”
He highlighted the importance of integrating technology into the judicial system, asserting that artificial intelligence should support, rather than replace, judicial reasoning.
CJI Kant pointed out that effective judicial leadership requires not just an administrative vision but also profound empathy, with courts needing to ensure that procedural complexities do not act as barriers for those in need of protection.
He described the merging of arbitration, mediation, and specialized courts as part of a broader shift from a litigation-focused approach to a justice-centered ecosystem.
He stated,
“This transformation acknowledges that justice must be accessible not only in principle but in practice—timely, efficient, and responsive to the needs of litigants,”
He further emphasized the necessity for courts to continually earn public trust through clear reasoning, transparency, and consistency.
He added,
“Judges must appreciate not only the doctrinal aspects of constitutional law but the philosophical foundations that give those doctrines meaning. Comparative constitutional dialogue, historical study, and ethical reflection are essential components of this educational process,”
CJI Kant urged that courts should act as protectors of constitutional identity while adapting to evolving circumstances. In our interconnected world, this responsibility also involves engaging with global judicial communities for exchange and collaboration.
He called for Commonwealth judicial platforms to increasingly acknowledge the jurisprudential contributions from India and the broader Asian region, as this would enhance shared learning and reaffirm the Commonwealth’s dedication to accessible, people-centered justice.
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