Law officers must remain impervious to politics, conduct themselves with dignity in court: CJI DY Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Saturday said that law officers bear a greater responsibility to uphold ethical standards, compared to private practitioners..He spoke on how executive accountability relies heavily on the ethical behaviour and responsibility of the government's law officers, who function as officers of the court as well."It is imperative that law officers remain impervious to the politics of the day and conduct themselves with dignity in court, ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings," he said, adding,"An exemplary figure in this regard is the late Soli Sorabjee, a former Attorney General, who, during his tenure, demonstrated a commitment to justice by advising the Union when it lacked a valid legal case.".The CJI was delivering the inaugural address at the 2024 Commonwealth Attorney and Solicitors Generals Conference.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of State with independent charge of the Law and Justice Ministry Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also attended the event.The theme of the conference this year was Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery..In his speech, the CJI touched upon a recent decision authored by him to ensure that government officials are not summoned arbitrarily.“It cautions against leveraging the power to summon officials as a tool to pressure the government, emphasizing that such actions should be reserved for circumstances crucial to the administration of justice. This collaborative approach involving legal officers, government officials, and the judiciary reinforces the ethical underpinnings of executive accountability while fostering a culture of mutual respect and cooperation within the justice system.”.He went on to state that admission and recruitment processes to law schools must take into account socio-economic backgrounds, diversity and life experiences."As we strive to modernize legal education, we must also confront the question of equitable access to legal education. Entrance tests for admission to law schools must not be exclusionary. We must ensure that our admission processes are fair, transparent, and inclusive. This necessitates a holistic approach," he stated..CJI Chandrachud also spoke of technology being a powerful tool in dispensing justice, which must be used carefully while ensuring there is no inequality.“Modernizing courtrooms and facilities is as crucial as bolstering overall infrastructure. Ensuring that technology serves to enhance transparency and accountability and not to perpetuate opacity and inequality.”In conclusion, he hoped and aimed for a future where justice knows no bounds, and where the rule of law reigns supreme..[Read speech]