Senior Advocates Tushar Mehta and SCBA President Kapil Sibal met with Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to revisit the process governing the senior designation. They discussed concerns about the current criteria and proposed a revised approach involving judges observing identified lawyers for a year before a secret ballot. The meeting aimed for a comprehensive review, not the specific designation of individuals.
Former Supreme Court Justice Rohinton Nariman proposed a reform for India’s Collegium system, suggesting a panel with the Chief Justice and four retired judges to enhance judicial independence and address system flaws. He also emphasized the importance of transparency in the selection process and the inclusion of practicing members of the legal profession in the nomination process. The proposed framework aims to ensure well-qualified and committed judges while fostering judicial independence and accountability.
Last week(on Thursday), Justice K V Viswanathan, in a seminar by ‘Nivaaran-Mediators of the Supreme Court,’ stressed the crucial role of mediation in resolving disputes. He highlighted its transparency and efficacy in providing relief amid a mounting caseload. He advocated for a mediation culture in India, emphasizing the urgent need to address the significant backlog of cases through this approach, promoting its advantages and potential.