On Wednesday(15th May),CJI D Y Chandrachud highlighted the imperative for judges to craft judgments accessible to the public at the Rio J-20 summit, attended by Chief Justices from J-20 nations.
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NEW DELHI: On Wednesday(15th May),Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud addressed a distinguished gathering of Chief Justices from the J-20 countries, the judicial counterpart of the G-20 nations. During his speech at the Rio J-20 summit, he emphasized the critical responsibility of judges to write judgments that are comprehensible to the general public.
Justice Chandrachud, speaking on the topic of “Digital transformation and use of tech to enhance judicial efficiency,” articulated-
“As judges, we don’t hold the status of princes or sovereigns, absolving us from the obligation of providing clear explanations.”
His statement reflects his observations while reading past judgments of the Supreme Court (SC) and High Courts (HCs). Although these judgments were well-written, they often appeared incomprehensible to the majority of people with average education levels. Furthermore, understanding the underlying logic behind lengthy judgments on significant matters, such as the landmark Kesavananda Bharati verdict of 1973, proved even more challenging.
The Chief Justice of India highlighted that judges primarily serve as providers of service and enablers of rights-affirming societies. Their ultimate goal is to establish a society governed by the rule of law. In order to achieve this, it is essential for judges to ensure that their judgments are accessible and comprehensible to the people they serve.
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Justice Chandrachud’s remarks resonate with the increasing need for transparency and accessibility within the judicial system. A significant portion of society often finds it challenging to navigate legal jargon and complex reasoning present in judgments. This creates a barrier between the justice system and the people it aims to serve. By acknowledging this issue, the Chief Justice acknowledges the importance of bridging the gap and making legal judgments more approachable.
The Indian judiciary has been taking steps towards utilizing technology to enhance judicial efficiency. The adoption of digital transformation has the potential to streamline processes, expedite case resolutions, and improve access to justice. However, it is equally crucial to ensure that the benefits of technological advancements are not overshadowed by the complexity of legal language.
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Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud’s address at the Rio J-20 summit calls for a significant shift in how judgments are written and presented. By emphasizing the need for explainability and the role of judges as service providers, he advocates for a judiciary that is more transparent, efficient, and accessible. His insights resonate with the ongoing efforts to modernize judicial systems worldwide and make the rule of law a cornerstone of an informed and empowered society.
