CJI Says Need To Rethink 'Long Vacations', 'Adjournments Culture' On Supreme Court's Diamond Jubilee

The Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Sunday said that there is need to address the structural issues like pendency of cases, archaic procedures, and the culture of adjournments in judiciary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being presented a memento by Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud during the 75th year celebrations of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Sunday said that there is a need to address the structural issues like pendency of cases, archaic procedures, and the culture of adjournments in judiciary.

The Supreme Court of India today celebrated 75 years of its inception. The CJI in his speech highlighted important milestones achieved by the apex court especially in e-services and digitisation. However, he emphasised the need to reform the existing system.

"In the near future, we must address the structural issues affecting the judiciary, such as pendency of cases, archaic procedures, and the culture of adjournments. Our effort in our work as Judges and administrators must be to ensure dignity to the district judiciary, which is the first point of contact for citizens." He said in his address.

The CJI emphasised that the apex court's ability to remain relevant as an institution requires it to recognise challenges and begin difficult conversations.

"First, we must emerge out of the adjournment culture to a culture of professionalism; Second, we have to ensure that the length of oral arguments does not interminably delay judicial outcomes; Third, the legal profession must provide a level playing field for first generation lawyers – men, women and others from marginalised segments who have the will to work and the potential to succeed; and
Fourth, let us begin the conversation on long vacations and whether alternatives such as flexitime for lawyers and judges is possible." 

He began his speech by expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing the audience and launching the new initiatives of the Supreme Court of India. Then he thanked his counterparts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka for joining and commemorating the occasion. 

"India has long-standing cultural bonds with them, and the presence of the Chief Justices today strengthens India's ties with their nations," he said.

Speaking on the Constitution of India, the CJI said, the Constitution is not just a legal document. "Its soul lies in the feeling which it engenders. A feeling of mutual respect towards fellow citizens. A feeling of responsibility in the institutions which it creates. The constitutional ideals permeate the fabric of our nation, guiding the actions and interactions of both the governed and those who govern."

The Supreme Court was established with a sense of idealism— that laws would be interpreted by a Constitutional Court in accordance with the rule of law and not by colonial values or social hierarchies. It affirmed the belief that the judiciary should serve as a bulwark against injustice, tyranny, and arbitrariness, the CJI affirmed in his address.

Speaking on initiatives to make the courts more tech-friendly, the CJI said, "Till now, we have dealt with over 5 lakh cases through hybrid hearings. The live proceedings of the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench hearings are popular and speak to the genuine curiosity that people have towards our courts and procedures." 

He also said that the top court today operates in a near complete paperless mode, with almost all Benches using digitised paper-books. "Judges are provided with scanned, bookmarked, and digitally signed case records which they access, read, annotate and preserve for their reference at their residence and in Courtrooms. More than 13 lakh legacy and live case records with approximately 10 crore pages have been digitised."

The CJI highlighted how the Supreme Court has enabled ‘Futuristic Court Technology’ in three courtrooms and assured that soon other Court rooms shall be equipped with such technology. 

"This technology facilitates paperless proceedings, a comprehensive digital library for the Bench and the Advocates, state-of-theart video conferencing, large video walls, smart monitors and document visualisers, all of which redefine the courtroom experience." he said.