Not difficult to pick women for elevation as judges: Delhi High Court Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi

Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) of the Delhi High Court Vipin Sanghi on Friday observed that since large number of competent women lawyers are into serious law practice these days, it is not difficult to pick women candidates for elevation as judges..The ACJ was speaking at a tea soiree hosted by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum when he said that it is not difficult to put into action the words of Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana when he strongly advocated for more women on the Bench."There are so many very serious women who are practicing. In fact when CJI said we must have more women on the Bench, it was not very difficult to pick up names to consider," he said. .He went on to recall that when his sister joined the legal profession as a lawyer, she had to rely on the encouragement of her family. "During the days my sister joined, there were not many women lawyers and one could see that it was only because of family's encouragement could she come," he said.However, he opined that the situation has changed, especially with regard to assumptions and prejudices that women who practiced law, did so only on a part-time basis."We've had some remarkable women lawyers and the impression that one used to carry that women lawyers are not full-time has been broken", he remarked..Delhi High Court judge Justice Rekha Palli also spoke about the change in the legal environment with women now being able to more easily balance their practice and family commitments."I will say when I joined the profession, I took a break when I had children. Now you girls don't have to do it! People and courts are understanding," she said.She also urged women to multi-task, just as she has encouraged others in her chamber to do."Women have to multitask! Please remember. I had many girls in my chamber. I always encouraged them to get married, you just have to multitask," she said..Both judges applauded the initiative taken by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum in terms of providing a network for female legal professionals."The best part of this forum is what we missed when we were younger. There was no network," Justice Palli said..ACJ Sanghi also encouraged the forum to record and upload their programs organised by it to YouTube..Senior Advocate Suruchi Aggarwal delivered the welcome address and advocate Mrinalini Sen introduced the forum.