CJI BR Gavai said, “Strength of a legal professional lies in upholding justice, and legal education must democratise access.” He stressed that law should empower citizens, ensure fairness, and cultivate lawyers committed to protecting constitutional values.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai emphasized that legal education should not only focus on training professionals for the bar and bench but also aim to cultivate citizens who are dedicated to the constitutional ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
During the inaugural Professor (Dr) N R Madhava Menon Memorial Lecture on “Legal and Justice Education @2047: An Agenda for 100 Years of Independence,” he highlighted that access to law and justice should be a reality for all citizens, rather than a privilege reserved for a select few.
CJI Gavai pointed out that for too long, geographical, economic, and linguistic barriers have served as significant obstacles, keeping marginalized and vulnerable individuals away from courts and legal institutions.
He noted that economic hardship often means that even when legal remedies are available, they remain out of reach for those who need them most. To reimagine legal education, he called for expanding its accessibility through technology, promoting instruction in regional languages, strengthening legal aid, and creating opportunities for first-generation learners.
He also highlighted the ethical responsibilities of law schools, which are tasked with instilling a respect for constitutional values in every student. CJI Gavai advocated for the establishment of research institutions to explore emerging areas of law.
While acknowledging the transformative impact of the five-year integrated law program and the National Law School model, he remarked that,
“A recurring criticism is that the model has, perhaps unintentionally, channelled a majority of its graduates towards careers in the corporate sector.”
He asserted that,
“The true strength of a legal professional lies not merely in knowing the law, but in using that knowledge to uphold justice, protect democracy and stand unflinchingly for constitutional values in times of trial.”
In a related context, while speaking at the Nepal-India Judicial Dialogue 2025 in Kathmandu, the CJI reiterated that the courts are not only responsible for resolving disputes but also for ensuring that the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity are actively upheld.
He stated,
“In both countries, the judiciary serves as a bridge between the aspirations of the people and the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. It is tasked not only with resolving disputes but also with ensuring that the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity are upheld in practice,”
CJI Gavai explained that by interpreting the law in light of contemporary challenges, courts can guide governance, inspire public trust, and reinforce democracy not just through institutions but through the values they represent. He described the judiciary as both a “guardian and a catalyst,” responsible for protecting the foundational structures of society while promoting reforms that strengthen its moral and ethical framework.
He noted that the judiciary’s role has evolved beyond the strict application of laws to engaging with the deeper purposes and implications of those laws.
He observed,
“Over the decades, this proactive role has become central to the judiciary’s identity,”
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