We are unable to convince younger lawyers on the importance of pursuing a career in judiciary: Justice Abhay Oka

Though lawyers practicing at the district and taluka courts have immense talent, they are not convinced enough to take up a career in the judiciary, the Supreme Court's Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka lamented on Saturday. .He said, "I personally feel that there is lot of talent in the members of the Bar in our district and taluka courts, but perhaps were are not able to convince the younger members of the Bar about the importance of taking up career in judiciary.".He added that Bar Councils and Bar Associations, as well as judges, will have to come together and go to law colleges to impress upon students that a career in the judiciary is one of the best options available. "Perhaps our senior judges need to go to our law colleges and appeal to final year law students to think of the judiciary as a career." .In fact, this is imperative if we want to have the best judiciary in the country, he further said."If we want to have the best judiciary in the country, we need to encourage young members of the Bar to opt for this option. That is one area where not only the judges, but members of the Bar will have to work hard.".Justice Oka was speaking at a felicitation function organized by the Advocates Association of Bengaluru (AAB) for himself as well as Justice BV Nagarathna, who were both elevated to the Supreme Court recently. The event was live streamed via AAB's YouTube channel. .During his speech, Justice Oka spoke on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the common man the most. Therefore, the first priority has to be given to this class of litigants. "Because during this period (Covid-19), the worst sufferer is the common man, who has come to the court with great hope that he will get justice, large number of litigants do not have the so-called high stake cases, they come to court for simple relief like maintenance, or small share in agricultural land and so many things. It is for this class of litigant for which the judiciary really exists...our first priority should be to give justice to this class of litigants, who have been waiting for justice for a long time.".Justice Nagarathna, who also addressed the gathering, opined that the advocates who have appeared before her played a huge role in shaping her as a judge. "If I have some success as a judge, it is because of every advocate who has appeared before me and therefore, I am deeply indebted to the Bar at Bangalore, Dharwad and Kalaburagi for shaping and fulfilling me as a judge."She further said that while hearing and disposing of each case, her satisfaction was in knowing the fact that behind each file, there is human being, who has come to court with pain. Her aim was to ease that pain, she said."My tenure has a judge for 13 and a half years have been good. His Lordship Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said I have disposed of about 42,000...cases. It is not just statistics. Behind each case, behind each file, there is a human being. There is a family, there is a suffering, and therefore, I would only take satisfaction that if I have done any good to the litigants during my tenure, then all credit must go to whatever I have inherited from the Bar.".Senior Advocate Udaya Holla congratulated Justice Oka for being work-oriented, not just on the judicial side, but also on the administrative side. "I pride myself as a workaholic, but Justice Oka beats me to shame...24/7, 365 days, I have seen him working. He was unfailingly courteous to the Bar, but at the same time, he applied the rule of law."He further said, "His (Justice Oka's) first love was not his wife, but public interest litigation." .Speaking about Justice Nagarathna, Holla opined that her judgements are always well-researched and well-written. "She will always be an inspiration to the younger members of the Bar, especially the ladies. In Justice Nagarathna, we will have the first woman Chief Justice of India.".Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was the Chief Guest at the function, said of Justice Oka,"He is a very unique, high calibre Justice. This is what my observation is. Normally, we look at justice through judgments. That is normal course, but he has adopted such a fine course, without really coming to the conclusion of judgment...the course correction measure he has formulated during his tenure is remarkable." The CM added,"The method he has adopted has changed the relationship between the legislature and the judiciary...He was a very compassionate judge. His compassion has gone beyond the normal justice which is delivered.".Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi opined that Justice Oka was the finest Chief Justice to have served at the High Court."You (Justice Abhay Oka) were the finest Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. Your tenure as Chief Justice, for over a period of two years, had both a stellar role as a judge on the judicial and administrative side. As a judge, because of your scholarly knowledge of law and very sound common sense, I have always observed, you could reach the point of dispute very easily and resolve them in a simple manner.".Navadgi apprised the gathering that for hearing the matters related to the Franklin Templeton debt schemes, a Bench headed by Justice Oka had sat for over three months and delivered a judgment running into more than 300 pages, laying down new dimensions related to corporate law. .During the course of his address, the AG also shared an incident which highlighted the concern that Justice Oka had for the people. ."When the Prime Minister announced National Lockdown on March 23, 2020, Justice Oka, along with Justice Nagrathna held a sitting at his house, where he told me, ;Whichever institution closes down, the institution of Judiciary should never close down. Access to Justice forms an integral part and basic structure of the Constitution'."