Kolkata Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Friday said more needs to be done to achieve maximum gender representation in the legal profession, while appreciating the progress already made in that direction.
He urged the legal fraternity to work towards fostering greater equality.
The CJI stated that in several states, in the competitions for the lowest level of judicial service, more than 60 per cent of the recruits are now women.
"This shows the social evolution that is taking place in India," he said, speaking at the Calcutta High Court Bar Library Club's bicentenary celebration at Calcutta City Hall.
"But while progress is being made in terms of gender representation, there remains a pressing need to ensure that our judicial institutions are truly inclusive and accommodating for all," the CJI said.
He said that despite the presence of female lawyers, services and facilities that meet their specific needs are "sorely lacking."
Women often have multifaceted identities: They balance household chores and child-rearing responsibilities alongside their professional careers, he said.
The CJI stated that managing both the domestic and professional spheres can be a daunting exercise for women.
"The expectation that women take on dual roles as caregivers and professionals highlights the need for supportive policies and environments within our legal institutions," he said.
He said the introduction of a Rs 25 meal for the staff of the Supreme Court, where more than 2,000 women work, after he took charge as CJI, has gone a long way in helping those women who do not find time to cook. in the morning to get healthy food at your workplace.
"A small initiative like this makes a big difference in empowering women," he said.
The CJI urged the legal fraternity to take advantage of the initiatives, ensuring that they translate into meaningful actions that encourage more equitable treatment of women.
"Fostering diversity and inclusion strengthens our legal system and enriches the perspectives that advance justice," he said.
Stating that in its 75-year history the Supreme Court has appointed a total of 313 women as senior advocates, he said that in February this year, 12 women were appointed senior advocates in one go in a particular selection.
Maintaining that the common man feels that adjournments have become a routine of the judicial system in current times, he said that perception is discouraging.
"This leads to protracted litigation, increased costs for litigants, and delays in justice, ultimately eroding public confidence in our legal system," he said.
Referring to the popular Hindi film 'Jolly LLB', he said the film's protagonist was confronted with the dynamics of the courtroom and Jolly observed another lawyer manipulating evidence to favor his wealthy client.
"This fictional representation vividly reflects real-world concerns where professionalism and ethical standards are sometimes compromised and affect the credibility of legal proceedings," he said.
Asked whether lawyers should stop working to pay tribute to a member of the Bar who has passed away, he said.
"Every minute of court time lost is court time lost in responding to a litigant's case crying out for justice," he said.
He said the traditions of legal fraternity can be suitably modified to pay respects and at the same time tune in with the demands of modern society.
The CJI also called for ending resistance to technological advancements within the legal profession.
Supreme Court judges Justice B R Gavai and Justice Dipankar Dutta, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam were among those present at the programme.
He urged the legal fraternity to work towards fostering greater equality.
The CJI stated that in several states, in the competitions for the lowest level of judicial service, more than 60 per cent of the recruits are now women.
"This shows the social evolution that is taking place in India," he said, speaking at the Calcutta High Court Bar Library Club's bicentenary celebration at Calcutta City Hall.
"But while progress is being made in terms of gender representation, there remains a pressing need to ensure that our judicial institutions are truly inclusive and accommodating for all," the CJI said.
He said that despite the presence of female lawyers, services and facilities that meet their specific needs are "sorely lacking."
Women often have multifaceted identities: They balance household chores and child-rearing responsibilities alongside their professional careers, he said.
The CJI stated that managing both the domestic and professional spheres can be a daunting exercise for women.
"The expectation that women take on dual roles as caregivers and professionals highlights the need for supportive policies and environments within our legal institutions," he said.
He said the introduction of a Rs 25 meal for the staff of the Supreme Court, where more than 2,000 women work, after he took charge as CJI, has gone a long way in helping those women who do not find time to cook. in the morning to get healthy food at your workplace.
"A small initiative like this makes a big difference in empowering women," he said.
The CJI urged the legal fraternity to take advantage of the initiatives, ensuring that they translate into meaningful actions that encourage more equitable treatment of women.
"Fostering diversity and inclusion strengthens our legal system and enriches the perspectives that advance justice," he said.
Stating that in its 75-year history the Supreme Court has appointed a total of 313 women as senior advocates, he said that in February this year, 12 women were appointed senior advocates in one go in a particular selection.
Maintaining that the common man feels that adjournments have become a routine of the judicial system in current times, he said that perception is discouraging.
"This leads to protracted litigation, increased costs for litigants, and delays in justice, ultimately eroding public confidence in our legal system," he said.
Referring to the popular Hindi film 'Jolly LLB', he said the film's protagonist was confronted with the dynamics of the courtroom and Jolly observed another lawyer manipulating evidence to favor his wealthy client.
"This fictional representation vividly reflects real-world concerns where professionalism and ethical standards are sometimes compromised and affect the credibility of legal proceedings," he said.
Asked whether lawyers should stop working to pay tribute to a member of the Bar who has passed away, he said.
"Every minute of court time lost is court time lost in responding to a litigant's case crying out for justice," he said.
He said the traditions of legal fraternity can be suitably modified to pay respects and at the same time tune in with the demands of modern society.
The CJI also called for ending resistance to technological advancements within the legal profession.
Supreme Court judges Justice B R Gavai and Justice Dipankar Dutta, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam were among those present at the programme.
