Key Points from Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai’s Speech
During the First Professor N.R. Madhava Menon Memorial Lecture on September 17, 2025, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai highlighted significant barriers in accessing justice and legal education for marginalized groups.
Barriers to Accessing Justice
- Geographical Barriers:
- Remote and rural areas often lack proximate courts or law schools, creating a substantial justice gap.
- Economic Barriers:
- Economic disadvantage restricts access to legal services and education, perpetuating marginalization.
- Linguistic Barriers:
- Legal proceedings and education are often conducted in languages not familiar to large segments of the population, causing alienation.
Future of Legal Education and Justice in India
- Vision for 2047:
- Compassion and Conscience in Justice: Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of integrating compassion in legal proceedings, even as technology aids in scheduling and precedent finding.
- Language Proficiency: Lawyers of the future should be fluent in both the language of the law and the language of the people.
- Reimagining Legal Education: Using technology to teach in regional languages, enhancing legal aid, and establishing support for first-generation learners.
