If the model physique was Greek in origin, then the sporting spirit was definitely Corinthian.
Opening Remarks
Chief Justice Dr DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court of India, (hereinafter Dr Chandrachud) recently inaugurated a lecture series that has generated significant interest in the legal and academic communities. This series, which is open to the public, provides a platform for experts from a variety of fields to engage in thought-provoking discussions and debates about a range of topics, including law, politics, economics, and social justice. The lecture series has been well-received by audiences who appreciate the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about important issues. The speakers in this series include lawyers, judges, academics, and policymakers, all of whom bring a unique perspective and expertise to the table. Each lecture is carefully curated to ensure that the discussions are thought-provoking, informative, and relevant to the current issues facing the country and the world. Dr Chandrachud has been a strong advocate for the importance of these types of events, and his dedication to promoting legal education and discourse is evident in his commitment to this lecture series. Dr Chandrachud's speech provides an overview of the history and significance of the Supreme Court of India. He mentions its evolution from the federal court created under the government of India act 1935, to its current status as the apex court of India with a jurisdiction that extends beyond hearing criminal and civil appeals, to the enforcement of fundamental rights and disputes involving the states of the Indian federation. He also highlights the solemnity and simplicity of the court's inaugural proceedings in 1950 and the prophetic words of the then Chief Justice Kanya regarding the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution of India with "enlightened liberality". Dr Chandrachud also touches upon the court's unique history, such as its functioning outside Delhi in Hyderabad and Kashmir, and the construction of a separate building for the Supreme Court in 1958. He emphasizes the values and aspirations of the Indian people that the court's logo and imagery represent and the responsibility of the court to provide equal protection of the law to every person seeking redress for wrongs done to them.
Through his leadership and involvement, he has encouraged others to join in these important conversations and has helped to foster a greater understanding of the law and its role in shaping society. This lecture series represents a significant step forward in promoting legal education and public discourse in India. It offers a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life to engage in meaningful conversations about the law and its impact on society, and it sets a high standard for similar initiatives in the future. The impact of this lecture series cannot be overstated, as it serves as a model for promoting informed and engaged discussions about the law and its role in shaping our world. By providing a platform for meaningful discourse, Dr Chandrachud has made a lasting contribution to legal education and the advancement of knowledge.
On The Role of the Judiciary in a Changing World, on the occasion of the first observance of the foundation day of the Supreme Court of India
The text outlines the vision for a future-ready Judiciary as put forward by Chief Justice Menon (hereinafter CJ Menon). He stresses the importance of truth and the need to control truth decay in the courtrooms, as this decay leads to a loss of trust in the judicial system. CJ Menon also highlights the need for the judiciary to be ready to grasp the challenges the world is facing and to be equipped to handle new legal issues that will arise as a result of these challenges. CJ Menon believes that the separation of powers doctrine should not completely preclude judges from expressing their views on issues and that they should engage with the public to make them aware of the judicial work. He also stresses the importance of international judicial engagement and the use of technology to assist court users. Judges also need to upgrade their skills and keep training in order to effectively handle the challenges facing the judiciary. The author highlights the importance of competence, capacity, and legitimacy in the discharge of judicial duties, and warns of the negative impact of truth decay and disinformation on the public's trust in the justice system.
The text provides a four-part vision for a future-ready Judiciary that addresses the challenges facing global judiciaries, including complexifying disputes, cross-border legal issues, growing inequality, and the rise of self-represented litigants. The author argues that judiciaries must innovate to reduce and contain disputes, cooperate with foreign counterparts, and ensure access to justice for all and that judges must be equipped with new legal concepts, tools, and methods to handle these challenges. In conclusion, the author argues that the judiciary must modernize its vision and understanding of its role in order to effectively administer justice, maintain order and legitimacy, and respond to the challenges posed by global issues. This requires a focus on innovation, cooperation, and the use of technology, as well as a commitment to ongoing training and skill development for judges. The text provides a comprehensive vision for a future-ready judiciary that is capable of addressing the challenges facing global judiciaries in today's rapidly changing world. The author, CJ Menon, outlines 8 salient highlights of his address, which lays out his vision for a future-ready judiciary.
He begins by highlighting the critical importance of truth in the administration of justice and the need to address the issue of truth decay in courtrooms. CJ Menon stresses the need for the judiciary to be legitimate, competent, and capable of grasping the issues that the world is facing. He notes that the new global challenges that the world is facing will give rise to new legal issues and that the judiciary must be prepared to handle them. The author also points out that the separation of powers doctrine should not totally preclude judges from expressing their views on issues, as long as they remain impartial in their judgements. The author highlights the need for international judicial engagement and the importance of taking the assistance of technology to make the judiciary more accessible to court users. He also emphasizes the need for judges to continuously upgrade their skills and training to stay up-to-date with the latest legal concepts, tools, and methods.
The text provides a four-part vision for a future-ready judiciary that takes into account the challenges facing global judiciaries. The author begins by summarizing the judicial duties, noting the importance of competence, capacity, and legitimacy in the discharge of those duties. The author then highlights the perfect long storm of global issues and geopolitical instability, including health security, climate change, stagflation, and economic and social inequality, and how these challenges threaten justice worldwide. The author identifies six types of challenges facing judiciaries, including complexifying disputes, cross-border legal issues, growing inequality, and the rise of self-represented litigants. The author argues that judiciaries must innovate to reduce and contain disputes, actively cooperate with foreign counterparts, and take into account the physical, resource, and literacy gaps that limit access to justice for many people. The author also warns of the negative impact of truth decay, disinformation, and the devaluation of information on the public's trust in the justice system. In conclusion, the author argues that judiciaries must modernize their vision and understanding of the judicial role in order to effectively administer justice, maintain order and legitimacy, and respond to the challenges posed by the perfect long storm of global issues. This requires judges to be equipped with new legal concepts, tools, and methods to handle complex disputes, cooperate with foreign counterparts, and ensure access to justice for all.
Lastly
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Supreme Court of India, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph also spoke on the occasion, stressing the importance of the precautionary approach and the principle of sustainable development in line with the public trust doctrine. But, for the Chief Justice, like Atticus Finch, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud would urge you to "keep your head high and your fists down... no matter what someone says to you... try fighting with your head for a change." He is the living embodiment of a Corinthian man and has the capacity to excel in both vocational and private spheres. His value is not to be found in his level of income but in the friends he keeps and the way he conducts himself, as a gentleman, a raconteur and a sportsman.
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