Speaking at the National Conference of the District Judiciary in New Delhi, he expressed hope that regional language legal education would help produce a new generation of lawyers proficient in their mother tongues, thereby enhancing their ability to advocate effectively in court.
NEW DELHI: Today (31st Aug): Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud recently advocated for legal education in regional languages to facilitate the dissemination of legal knowledge in a language that citizens understand.
Speaking at the National Conference of the District Judiciary in New Delhi, he expressed hope that regional language legal education would help produce a new generation of lawyers proficient in their mother tongues, thereby enhancing their ability to advocate effectively in court.
CJI Chandrachud highlighted the integration of technology in the judiciary, noting that Supreme Court judgments are now translated into all Constitution-recognized languages, with 73,000 judgments available publicly.
“I hope that we will soon have legal education available in every regional language. This would enable the creation of new groups of lawyers who are proficient in their native languages, allowing them to effectively advocate in court and advance the cause of justice.”
he said, while delivering the inaugural address at the National Conference of the District Judiciary in New Delhi.
While explaining the adoption of technology in the judiciary, the Chief Justice said that “Supreme Court judgments are now translated into every language recognized by the Constitution, with 73,000 translated judgments available to the public.”
CJI Chandrachud said
“The district judiciary, being the initial point of contact for citizens seeking justice, is often the final point as well, according to data from the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG).”
“To uphold the integrity of our legal system, we must stop referring to the district judiciary as subordinate. It is time to move beyond the colonial-era mindset of subordination, which has persisted for 75 years post-Independence.” CJI
“Various factors contribute to the challenges faced by citizens, including the inability to afford legal representation, lack of awareness about statutory rights, and geographical barriers. The quality of justice and the conditions under which it is delivered are crucial to maintaining public confidence and accountability. The district judiciary, therefore, plays a pivotal role and should be recognized as the ‘backbone of the judiciary’.” CJI said there has been a tremendous improvement in the conditions of service of district judiciary.
He emphasized the crucial role of the district judiciary, often the first and sometimes the final point of contact for citizens seeking justice. He urged for the end of the colonial-era term “subordinate judiciary,” asserting that the district judiciary is the backbone of the legal system and deserves recognition for its significant role.
CJI Chandrachud also spoke about the transformative power of judges, who, despite facing personal and professional challenges, have the potential to shape society’s future. He stressed the importance of judges being aware of societal changes and the need to address their mental health issues, which are often overlooked.
“Every judge has the potential to impact not only the lives of those who appear in court but also the broader society. We must remember that our role extends beyond our individual existence and is centered on serving others. This can only be achieved by empathizing with those who come before us with their stories of suffering and injustice.” CJI Chandrachud also spoke about the transformative power of judges, who, despite facing personal and professional challenges, have the potential to shape society’s future
“Judges face extraordinary challenges due to their multifaceted responsibilities, and it is hard not to be affected by the daily encounters with suffering, whether it’s a family facing a horrific crime or an undertrial languishing in detention. This impact on mental health is significant but often overlooked.” CJI on the Impact of Judges’ Work and Mental Health:
“Judges must stay attuned to evolving societal conditions. Even though they are expected to remain impartial and detached, it is essential that they are aware of the changing world to ensure justice in every case.”
“In recent years, more women have joined the district judiciary. For instance, women made up 58% of civil judge recruits in Rajasthan in 2023, 66% of judicial officers in Delhi in 2023, 54% of civil judge (Junior Division) appointments in Uttar Pradesh for 2022, and 72% of judicial officers in Kerala. This trend reflects a promising shift in the judiciary’s demographics.” CJI Chandrachud on the Increasing Representation of Women in the Judiciary
He commended the growing representation of women in the judiciary, citing statistics from various states, and expressed optimism about a judiciary that is both technologically adept and reflective of India’s demographic changes. He concluded by stating that improved conditions for district judges should now be matched by their commitment to serving the public, reinforcing their role as vital pillars of justice.
“The challenge now is to ensure that these women, joining the judiciary, become true mentors for the evolving face of Indian society. This represents a hopeful development as we have a young, technologically savvy judiciary that is representative of India’s demographic changes.” CJI Chandrachud mentioned
“With the significant improvements in the conditions of service for the district judiciary, it is now our responsibility to give back to society. We must remind our citizens of our purpose and serve them effectively through our work.” CJI said there has been a tremendous improvement in the conditions of service of district judiciary.
