At hometown, CJI urges lawyers to go digital, says can compete at global level too

Hisar/Hansi: The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, struck a note of transformation on Friday, calling upon lawyers — particularly those in district and sub-divisional courts—to embrace modern technology as the nature of litigation was changing rapidly."Commercial litigation should not remain the monopoly of lawyers from big cities," Justice Kant said. "Lawyers practising in smaller towns must accept this challenge and prepare themselves with technological proficiency." He emphasised that, alongside conventional advocacy, young lawyers must master online filing, virtual arguments, and the management of digital evidence.Addressing lawyers in his hometown of Hansi, Haryana—his first visit since assuming the country's top judicial office—the CJI called for structured training programmes, the involvement of domain experts, and a special focus on the younger generation."The nature of litigation has globalised," he said. "With the latest technology, our lawyers can compete not just in local courts, but at a global level." He also highlighted the importance of linguistic precision, clarity in drafting, and rigorous preparation.Justice Kant highlighted India's global leadership in judicial technology. "From filing to judgments, the level of technology used in India is unmatched elsewhere," he said, adding that several countries have signed MoUs to adopt India's judicial tech systems.Reflecting on the judiciary's evolution, the CJI observed that when the Constitution was adopted in 1950, such expansive responsibilities were not anticipated. While increased rights awareness led to a surge in litigation, judicial infrastructure initially lagged behind. However, he praised Haryana for emerging as a leader in judicial infrastructure.Linking economic growth to the rule of law, Justice Kant stated that foreign direct investment flows toward nations offering legal certainty and an independent judiciary. He warned, however, that while conventional crime is declining, cybercrime has emerged as a major threat. He cited reports indicating that over Rs 55,000 crore has been siphoned from citizens—particularly seniors—through digital arrests and cyber fraud.Regarding alternative dispute resolution, the CJI suggested that mediation should be conducted in local languages and dialects to ensure common people feel confident in the process.Concluding his address, Justice Kant noted his 22 years in the judiciary, having risen from this very region. He thanked the Haryana govt for declaring Hansi a district and stated he would request the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court to establish Hansi as a sessions division.BOXES ‘Left for Chd with 4 sets of clothes'Sharing his journey to inspire young practitioners, Justice Surya Kant recalled starting his practice at the Hisar Bar in 1984. After he argued a civil matter against a senior advocate, a sessions judge advised him that his talent should not be "wasted" there and urged him to move to the high court. He said he left for Chandigarh with only four sets of clothes in a briefcase. "I was thrown into the ocean," he said. "I succeeded because I accepted the challenge." His message to young lawyers: "Fear has no place where preparation is strong."Hansi memories: 1st Hindi movie On a personal note, Justice Surya Kant recalled watching his first movie in Hansi while his father, a Sanskrit teacher, was posted there. He described Hansi as a historic city—stretching from the Mahabharata to the era of Prithviraj Chauhan.MSID:: 126436549 413 |