At the 16th Convocation of Gujarat National Law University, CJI Surya Kant said public trust in the legal system depends on lawyers’ honesty and conduct. He reminded graduates that credibility takes years to build but can be lost instantly if responsibility and ethics are ignored.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has said that the trust of people in the legal system largely depends on how lawyers conduct themselves. Speaking at the 16th Convocation of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Gandhinagar on February 28, the CJI delivered a strong and practical message to young law graduates about honesty, specialization and professional responsibility.
Addressing the students, he clearly stated,
“Public confidence in the legal profession depends on the honesty and consistency of those who practise.”
He explained that every action taken by a lawyer has an impact on how society views the justice system.
“Every professional decision, whether it is related to fees, client confidentiality, conflicts of interest or behavior in court, contributes to strengthening or weakening that trust.”
ALSO READ: “Maiden Visit as CJI”: Surya Kant Offers Prayers at Tirupati’s Lord Venkateswara Temple
The CJI stressed that reputation and respect in the legal profession are not built overnight.
“Credibility builds up gradually.”
He reminded graduates that while credibility takes years of hard work to earn, it can be lost very quickly if ethical standards are compromised. According to him, lawyers must think beyond personal success and understand that their actions directly affect the health of the entire justice delivery system.
At a time when public trust in institutions is constantly examined and debated, the CJI highlighted the importance of moral values in legal practice. He encouraged young lawyers to maintain honesty, discipline and commitment in every aspect of their work.
During his speech, Justice Surya Kant also focused on the need for specialization in advocacy. He said that in today’s competitive legal environment, mediocrity does not work. Instead, lawyers must identify their strengths early and build expertise in specific areas of law. He explained that simply trying to do everything equally well may not lead to real success.
Using an example from T20 cricket to make his point clear, he said that professionals must understand their specific roles.
“Those who try their hands equally in every field in the legal profession do not get success.”
He further added that success comes when a lawyer understands his or her true role and works consistently in that direction.
To make the message more relatable, he gave a popular cricket example:
“Suryakumar Yadav is not expected to bowl in the death overs or Bumrah to handle the chase. They are trusted to do what they specialize in and the team is built on this clarity.”
By this, he meant that just like in sports, the legal profession also requires clarity of roles and strong specialization.
ALSO READ: “Technology Must Remain a Servant of Justice, Not Its Substitute”: CJI Surya Kant
The convocation was held at a time when the Indian legal system is facing serious challenges. There are more than 17 lakh registered lawyers across the country and over 50 crore pending cases. In such a situation, the CJI emphasized the urgent need for efficiency, better training and subject-matter expertise to reduce delays and improve the quality of justice delivery.
He told the graduates that self-awareness is very important in building a successful legal career.
“My dear graduates, what is your rightful place in this profession, is a question that needs to be confronted at the earliest, as it rarely rewards those who put in equal effort in everything.”
He clarified that this understanding does not come immediately but develops through experience, self-reflection and real courtroom exposure.
Highlighting the gap between classroom learning and real-life practice, he observed that theoretical knowledge alone is not enough.
“True expertise develops slowly over time. Many successful lawyers gradually make their mark. Maps are taught in law education, but in actual practice it is necessary to understand the ground realities, where the challenges are complex and dynamic.”
According to him, young lawyers must adapt to changing realities and continuously improve their skills.
Justice Surya Kant also spoke about the major reforms taking place in India’s criminal law system. Referring to the implementation of new criminal laws, he said that the country is witnessing extensive changes.
“With the implementation of the Indian Code of Justice and other new laws in India, there are extensive reforms in criminal law.”
In such times, he pointed out, trained and expert lawyers are required to properly interpret and implement these new laws. Skilled advocacy, he said, can help reduce delays, improve the quality of arguments and speed up the delivery of justice.
In his concluding remarks, the CJI reminded the graduates of their moral and ethical duties as officers of the court. Drawing from ancient Indian wisdom, he quoted,
“Satya vad, dharmam chara (Speak the truth, follow the path of righteousness)”.
Through this message, he underlined that long-term success in the legal profession depends not only on knowledge and technical skill but also on strong character and integrity.
The address by Chief Justice Surya Kant at GNLU’s convocation serves as an important reminder for young lawyers across India. In a legal system burdened with huge pendency and increasing public scrutiny, specialization, ethical conduct and personal integrity remain the pillars on which public trust in the judiciary stands.
Click Here to Read More Reports on CJI Surya Kant
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
