Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, along with judges from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal, attended an international legal conference in South Goa Today (Oct 19), organized by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA). Emphasizing the friendly rapport among judges, CJI Chandrachud lightheartedly referred to his colleague Justice N. Kotishwar Singh with a playful greeting. He also humorously remarked on the leisurely pace of the attendees, attributing it to the relaxed Goan vibe. Earlier in the day, he enjoyed a morning walk from Miramar Beach to Dona Paula.
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GOA: Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud, along with other Supreme Court judges from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal, participated in an international legal conference in South Goa today (October 19).
This event was organized by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA).
The conference, conceived by SCAORA under the guidance of the CJI and other Supreme Court judges, serves as a platform for exchanging insights, promoting collaboration, and tackling key challenges faced by the global legal community. The presence of esteemed judges highlights the importance of addressing shared concerns in the judiciary.
CJI D.Y. Chandrachud emphasized the camaraderie among judges, stating,
“Judges share a special camaraderie. Whenever I meet Justice N Kotishwar Singh, I greet him with ‘koti koti pranam’ and call him ‘Koti.'”
Adding a touch of humor, CJI Chandrachud said,
“Let’s start with some law and humor. When I arrived, I noticed only two rows were full, and I thought, ‘Ah, the people of Goa must be taking their time getting here!'”
He also shared a personal experience, saying,
“This morning, I spent an hour and a half walking along Miramar Beach, all the way to Dona Paula. It’s something I always do when in Goa, whether staying at the Marriott or not.”
Reflecting on his early career, the CJI shared an anecdote:
“I remember once traveling with Mr. Pravin Parekh from Delhi to Mumbai for a case. A five-star hotel was booked for him, but not for me. Back then, I wasn’t ‘worth it’ according to the client. Mr. Parekh kindly let me share his room. He then told me that no matter what a client pays you, when traveling for a case, always stay in a five-star hotel. I asked why. He said, ‘It’s about how people perceive you. When you stay in a five-star hotel, people say, He’s a five-star lawyer.'”
The CJI recounted another humorous story involving legendary lawyer Ram Jethmalani.
“Once, an advocate approached Ram Jethmalani with a criminal appeal involving many accused. Ram agreed to take the case. When the lawyer asked about his fees, Ram gazed into the air and said, ‘Beta, ek peti bhej do.’ Now, I’m not sure what ‘ek peti’ means today or what it meant back then, but you all can discuss that since you’ll be talking about prevention of money laundering charges! (Laughs)”
Speaking of Mr. Jethmalani’s fees, CJI Chandrachud recalled,
“I once briefed Mr. Jethmalani for an SLP drafted by his daughter. I was taken aback by the fees he charged. He noticed and said, ‘Beta, people focus on the exorbitant fees I charge a few clients, but they forget that I use that to subsidize my work for many clients, for whom I appear free of cost.'”
He highlighted Jethmalani’s pro bono work, such as representing an assassin in the prime minister’s assassination case, where Jethmalani resigned from his parliamentary position to avoid a conflict of interest and even secured an acquittal for one of the accused.
Judicial humor, the CJI added, helps keep judges grounded.
“There’s a lot of humor in the judiciary too. When we walk into court, we need something to keep us grounded. When CJI Dipak Misra was in charge, he would arrive at 10:20 AM and ask Justice Rohinton Nariman a rhetorical question. The answer would also be completely rhetorical, and none of us understood a thing! I asked Justice Nariman what he replied, and he said, ‘God knows.’ I said, ‘But you answered!’ He said, ‘I didn’t understand the question, so I answered in a way no one would understand the answer either!’ (Laughs)”
Recalling a courtroom interaction, CJI Chandrachud mentioned how he once dealt with a lawyer requesting a correction in an order:
“Once, a lawyer sought a correction in an order. I usually allow this because it often means they want their name included so they can charge their client. However, this wasn’t reflected in the order. I said it was unlikely because I don’t issue clarifications unless there’s ambiguity.”
He later reflected on how his wife made him realize he had been too harsh on the junior lawyer, a moment that caused him to reassess his response.
In commemorating the Supreme Court of India’s 75th anniversary, the CJI said,
“We’re here to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court of India. This celebration isn’t just for judges. We’ve taken many initiatives to commemorate this milestone, including plans for a new Supreme Court building.”
He highlighted how the legal profession has grown, introducing reforms like e-filing, digitized records, and live-streaming of court proceedings, which he described as “game-changers.”
Addressing the implications of live-streaming, the CJI acknowledged,
“Yes, sometimes lawyers play to the gallery, or some judges forget that it’s not just the courtroom but millions of people who are watching. However, we must live with hope, not cynicism. While a few may misuse the system, we must work in good faith for the betterment of society.”
CJI Chandrachud highlighted the vital role of the Indian Supreme Court in ensuring access to justice:
“There’s often a question of whether the Supreme Court should handle such small matters. My view is different. Unlike the Supreme Courts of the US, UK, Australia, or South Africa, the Indian Supreme Court was designed with a focus on access to justice, addressing the issues of a poor society.”
He stressed that the Court’s role is not just in handling high-profile constitutional cases but also in contributing to social transformation through everyday cases.
“Social transformation doesn’t only happen in landmark cases but also in the smaller day-to-day matters we decide, providing guidance to the nation, district courts, and high courts,”
-he explained, underscoring the Court’s critical role in leading the lower judiciary.
The CJI cautioned against judging the Court solely by its rulings:
“Being a people’s court doesn’t mean we play the role of opposition to the government. There’s a divide today: people praise the Supreme Court when it rules in their favor and criticize it when it doesn’t. But the Court should not be judged solely based on outcomes. Judges must be independent in deciding where the balance lies in each case.”
He called for a more balanced perspective on judicial decisions, stating,
“While it’s important to criticize courts when warranted, if criticism only arises from unfavorable outcomes, it reflects poorly on the profession.”
On the quality of Advocates on Record (AoRs), the CJI remarked,
“As long as we maintain high standards among AoRs, there will be no cause for concern. But if the quality of AoRs declines, the share of available litigation will spread thinly among the growing number of advocates.”
Finally, addressing language barriers, the CJI emphasized the importance of translating Supreme Court judgments into regional languages.
“Since the district judiciary largely operates in regional languages, if all Supreme Court judgments are only in English, we risk distancing ourselves from justice at the trial level.”
He highlighted a special request from the President of India:
“The President of India even asked me if judgments could be translated into Santhali, especially those impacting tribal rights. This mission helps bring the court closer to the people, making justice more accessible in their homes and hearts.”
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