Justice Sophy Thomas, in her farewell speech, acknowledged the challenges women judges face in balancing multiple responsibilities. She stated that “multitasking as a lady judge without compromising judicial work is not easy.” Her remarks highlighted the difficulties of managing judicial duties alongside personal and societal expectations. The retiring judge’s statement emphasized the need for better support systems for women in the judiciary.
Justice Sophy Thomas, on the eve of her retirement from the Kerala High Court, remarked on the challenges faced by lady judicial officers, describing their roles as a “tightrope walk.”
Justice Thomas, who has had a distinguished career spanning over three decades and was the first woman Registrar General of the Kerala High Court, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey.
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During a full-court reference held in her honor, she shared her experiences, noting that it is difficult for a female judge to multitask without compromising judicial responsibilities.
She stated,
“It is a tightrope walk for a lady judicial officer multitasking without compromising judicial work is not that easy. It was a lifetime journey with trials and tribulations, but I can proudly say that I was second to none in disposing of cases,”
Justice Thomas emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional values and the seriousness of the judicial role.
She said,
“A judge must be aware of the seriousness of their work, administering justice while upholding constitutional values without fear or favor,”
In her concluding remarks, she drew strength from her faith and advised young lawyers to remain true to themselves, their clients, the court, and even their opponents.
Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar, in his address, praised Justice Thomas for her significant contributions to judicial administration in the state, particularly highlighting her transformative tenure as Registrar General, which facilitated the digitization of the Kerala High Court.
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Justice Thomas was born on February 13, 1963, and pursued her legal education at Government Law College, Ernakulam, followed by a Master of Laws from Mahatma Gandhi University.
Her legal career began in the lower courts, and she progressed through various judicial roles, ultimately serving as the District and Sessions Judge in Thrissur before her historic appointment as Registrar General on May 27, 2020. She became an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court on October 20, 2021, and was confirmed as a permanent judge on July 31, 2023.
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