Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna Today (Nov 26) addressed a gathering of lawyers during the Constitution Day event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association. “The better the bar, the better the judges,” CJI Khanna said, emphasising the integral role of lawyers in the judiciary. He pointed out that while the judiciary is often represented by judges in robes, it equally represents the members of the bar.
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NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna delivered an insightful address to a gathering of lawyers during the Constitution Day event organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association Today (Nov 26).
Highlighting the indispensable role of lawyers in the judicial process, CJI Khanna stated,
“The better the bar, the better the judges.”
His remarks underscored the symbiotic relationship between a robust legal bar and a thriving judiciary.
CJI Khanna elaborated on the judiciary’s dual representation, emphasizing that while judges in robes symbolize the judiciary, lawyers are equally integral to the system. He remarked,
“You are as much members of the judiciary as judges,”
drawing attention to his personal journey. He shared that his professional life had been marked by a longer tenure as a member of the bar than as a judge, reinforcing his appreciation for the lawyers’ contributions.
The Chief Justice also reflected on the collaborative nature of the judiciary, noting that judges often “shine in reflected glory,” as their work is deeply intertwined with the bar’s contributions.
He stressed that an effective adjudicatory system in India is unimaginable without the active participation of the bar.
India’s Journey as a Democracy and Modern Developments
In his speech, CJI Khanna praised India’s post-independence evolution, observing that the country has matured into a vibrant democracy and a confident, self-assured nation. This progress, he suggested, reflects the strength and resilience of its democratic institutions, including the judiciary.
CJI Khanna also addressed several practical concerns affecting members of the bar, outlining recent changes aimed at improving their professional experience.
Notably, he announced the return of physical cause lists, stating that these will once again be displayed outside courtrooms.
Additionally, he mentioned upgrades to court infrastructure, including enhanced Wi-Fi services and the installation of additional routers.
Lawyers no longer need to go through the daily hassle of generating OTP pins, a move that aims to simplify their day-to-day activities.
For context, a cause list is a schedule detailing pending court cases to be heard, often referred to as a court or trial calendar.
Decision on Adjournment Requests
While addressing the bar’s challenges, CJI Khanna clarified his stance on adjournment requests, a topic of considerable interest. Responding to calls to reinstate the earlier system for handling adjournment circulations, he explained,
“I’ve looked at the data; it won’t be possible for us to go back to the earlier system. That may be counterproductive.”
Supporting his decision with statistics, CJI Khanna highlighted that the number of adjournment requests had significantly decreased from approximately 100 per day to around 150 per month.
He revealed that the Supreme Court received about 1,400 applications in recent months, indicating a substantial reduction in such requests, which he viewed as a positive trend.
A Vision for Collaborative Growth
CJI Khanna’s Constitution Day address offered a vision of collaboration, mutual respect, and progress within India’s legal system. By recognizing the pivotal role of lawyers and implementing changes to ease their workload, he reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the functioning of the judiciary.
His remarks not only honored the bar’s contributions but also reflected his understanding of their essential place in India’s democratic framework.
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