Advocates Must Stay Updated with the Times to Tackle Global Challenges: CJI Justice Surya Kant

New Delhi, January 9 – The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, said that in order to effectively deal with the changing nature of crime and emerging global challenges, advocates—especially young lawyers—must continuously keep themselves updated. He emphasized that if advocates are equipped with e-libraries, digital resources, and modern technology, it will not only enhance their efficiency but also make the justice delivery system more effective.

Justice Surya Kant was addressing judicial officers and advocates at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Hisar Bar Association at the local judicial complex on Friday. He said that the Indian judiciary has made the maximum use of modern technology in the world and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, set a global example by ensuring uninterrupted justice delivery through virtual courts and digital platforms.

Recalling the beginning of his career, the Chief Justice said that his association with the Hisar Bar Association is not merely professional, but also familial and emotional. He began his journey in the legal profession as a member of the Hisar Bar Association in the 1980s, and later practiced at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. However, he has always remained connected with the Hisar Bar. He noted that the history of the Hisar Bar is extremely illustrious, and its members have rendered invaluable service to the nation while serving in different parts of the country.

Justice Surya Kant said that today the graph and nature of crimes are changing rapidly. Cybercrime, digital arrest scams, online fraud, and technology-based offences are continuously on the rise. To effectively argue such cases, lawyers must develop an understanding of technology and the ability to analyze digital evidence. He stressed that advocates are the most crucial link in ensuring timely justice to the common citizen, and reducing delays in justice through the development of resources must remain a top priority.

He further said that with the strengthening of India’s economy, foreign investment has increased, leading to a rise in commercial disputes and corporate litigation. In view of the changing nature of disputes, advocates must also adapt their strategies and align themselves with modern judicial requirements.

On this occasion, the President of the Hisar Bar Association, Sh. Sandeep Boora, welcomed the Chief Justice and other distinguished guests, and honoured the CJI by presenting a memento. Senior member of the Bar Association, P.K. Sandhir, shared his experiences of working alongside Justice Surya Kant in 1984 and described the occasion as historic and inspiring for the Hisar Bar.

Bar Association member P.K. Sandhir said that this moment would be recorded as a golden chapter in the history of the Hisar Bar Association, as Justice Surya Kant, who began his legal career on this very soil, is today occupying the highest judicial office in the country.

Present on the occasion were the wife of the Chief Justice of India, Smt. Savita Vashisht; Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Sh. Sheel Nagu; Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Alka Sarin; High Court Judge, Justice H.S. Sethi; District and Sessions Judge, Smt. Alka Malik; Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Mahender Pal; Superintendent of Police, Sh. Shashank Kumar Sawan; Additional District and Sessions Judges Sunil Jindal, Isha Khatri and Natasha Sharma; SDM Jyoti Mittal; Vice President of the Bar Association Vikas Poonia; Secretary Sameer Bhatia; Treasurer Sunil Sahdev; former President Subhash Godara; Bansilal, along with senior judicial officers, administrative and police officers, and a large number of advocates.