Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant is prioritizing the establishment of "approachable" people's courts that can be accessed "at any time in legal emergencies," even during the night, to protect the fundamental rights and liberties of citizens. This initiative aims to ensure that individuals facing urgent legal issues or potential arrest can seek immediate assistance from constitutional courts.
CJI Surya Kant's vision extends beyond just emergency access. He is focused on making the Supreme Court and High Courts more accessible to the common person. To achieve this, his priorities include setting predictable timelines for case decisions, implementing a unified national judicial policy for faster resolutions, and reducing the cost of litigation. He aims to tackle the backlog of old cases through mediation and prioritization of certain litigations.
Several key changes are being implemented to expedite court hearings and prioritize vulnerable populations. Lawyers are now required to submit their case strategies one day before hearings and provide concise written briefs three days in advance, which will help to eliminate drawn-out arguments. Cases involving senior citizens (80+), acid attack survivors, individuals with disabilities, those below the poverty line, and those receiving legal aid will be given priority in scheduling. The goal is to make the justice system faster and fairer for everyone.
CJI Kant is also advocating for increased use of mediation in resolving disputes such as cheque bounces and land disputes, aiming to reduce the burden on the courts. He is pushing for a Unified Judicial Policy (UJP) to bring consistency, technology, and clarity across all courts in India. This policy prioritizes cases involving personal liberty, including those related to arrest, bail, and fundamental rights. The CJI emphasizes that courts should handle family, consumer, and social justice disputes with sensitivity and empathy.
The Chief Justice believes that the judiciary's role extends beyond settling disputes; it also encompasses protecting the innocent. He has urged High Courts to function like emergency services, ensuring swift and effective responses to urgent matters. He has also stressed the importance of strengthening legal aid to ensure that justice is accessible to all, especially those in remote areas or facing physical barriers. He has emphasized that technology can help bridge the gap in access to justice when combined with local knowledge, linguistic accessibility, and human empathy.
CJI Surya Kant has emphasized the importance of predictability and consistency in court decisions to strengthen public trust. He noted that citizens approach courts with the expectation that the law will be applied equally and fairly, and that similar cases will be treated similarly. He warned that a justice system operating without clear guiding principles weakens public confidence. Judgments should be simple, easy to understand, and free of legal jargon.
To ensure timely consideration of pressing cases, CJI Kant has directed lawyers to approach the Supreme Court Registry for urgent listings, even during court vacations. This structured process ensures that urgent matters receive prompt attention.
