Justice VG Arun, during his farewell at the Kerala High Court, highlighted the importance of encouraging junior advocates by giving them the freedom to speak fearlessly, grow with confidence, and practise law without anxiety in a supportive judicial environment.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
KERALA: The Kerala High Court held a full-court reference to mark the last working day of Justice VG Arun, who demitted office after a distinguished judicial career marked by courtesy, integrity, and deep engagement with the Bar.
Addressing the gathering, Justice VG Arun remarked that whatever he achieved in his professional life was not solely his own accomplishment but the result of collective effort, acknowledging the unwavering support of his family, seniors, colleagues, and the Bar.
In a rare gesture, the entire court rose in applause for nearly 10–15 seconds as Justice Arun concluded his farewell address, reflecting the profound respect he commanded across the Bench and Bar.
He fondly recalled his long association with the Indian Law Reports (Kerala Series), where he served as Editor for nearly 13 years, describing the experience as instrumental in sharpening his understanding of judgment writing and legal reasoning.
“That role gave me the opportunity to closely study judgments and understand judgment writing,”
Justice Arun observed.
Justice Arun expressed pride in having mentored and encouraged young lawyers, particularly junior members of the Bar, and voiced optimism about their future in the legal profession.
At the same time, he highlighted the under-representation of women on the Bench, despite the presence of many accomplished women lawyers at the Bar, expressing hope that this imbalance would be addressed in the years ahead.
Concluding his speech, Justice Arun shared a reflective note on retirement, describing it not as an end but as a “semicolon rather than a full stop.”
“I look forward to reading judgments without having to write them, revisiting books long neglected, and discovering whether life beyond our rooms is as orderly as the cause lists never were,”
he said, expressing enduring respect for the institution he served.
ALSO READ: Kerala High Court: “Need Original Breathalyzer Printout to Prove Drunken Driving”
Kerala Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K, addressing the full-court reference, described the occasion as one filled with a “solemn sense of poignancy.” He praised Justice Arun’s patience and judicial courtesy, noting that appearing before him was an experience marked by respect and attentiveness.
The President of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA), Peeyus A Kottam, highlighted Justice Arun’s bar-friendly approach even after his elevation to the Bench.
“Junior advocates were given the freedom to speak fearlessly and grow without anxiety. Seniors and juniors were treated with equal respect,”
Kottam said.
Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar also paid tribute, recalling Justice Arun’s seamless transition from an erudite lawyer to an accomplished judge.
“His integrity, independence, and dedication have left an enduring imprint on the institution,”
Justice Nambiar observed.
ALSO READ: Synthetic Drug & Ganja Has Reached Schools: Kerala High Court Over 330% Rise In Cases
About Justice VG Arun
Born on January 25, 1964, Justice VG Arun completed his graduation in Economics from Baselius College, Kottayam, and obtained his law degree from the Kerala Law Academy, Thiruvananthapuram.
He enrolled as an advocate on January 8, 1989, initially practicing in civil and criminal courts at Calicut, before shifting to the Kerala High Court in December 1990. Over nearly three decades at the Bar, he earned a reputation as a disciplined and capable lawyer.
Justice Arun was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court on November 5, 2018, and was appointed as a Permanent Judge with effect from September 14, 2020.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Justice VG Arun
