Senior Advocates should hire juniors via applications, interviews instead of networks: CJI DY Chandrachud

Senior Advocates should avoid recruiting juniors to their chambers through known connections/ contacts or networks, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Friday. .They should instead explore the option of inviting applications followed by interviews to ensure a level playing field for candidates which in turn would ensure greater participation of women at the bar, the CJI opined.Women have excelled in any field whenever a level playing field has been provided and that includes the judiciary as well, he said."The problem with the legal profession is there is no level playing field. I request all Seniors to stop recruiting in senior chambers purely based on network, friends children etc. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) can put out a list of seniors who would like to recruit and then applications can be made and interviews can be given. Level playing field shows that women will succeed," said the CJI.CJI Chandrachud was speaking at the farewell ceremony of Justice Hima Kohli, the ninth woman judge of the Supreme Court.The CJI lauded Justice Kohli for her sensitivity, sound judicial making and for using her voice to air issues facing women in the legal profession..In his address, the CJI also recounted his experience with young judicial officers in Delhi. "Few days ago during Lok Adalat, there were people in my court who were young graduates. I asked who are these people? I was told they are young judicial officers from the Delhi judicial academy. I invited them for tea and learnt that 78 out of 108 recruits to the Delhi district judiciary are women. This shows spread of women education has spurred and it tells us where equal opportunity spaces are given women thrive and they succeed in district judiciary because there is a level playing field at the threshold," he said. .The CJI cited the example of Justice Kohli to state "that to succeed in the profession, you don't have to forsake your femininity." "Every women professional brings a degree of compassion in this profession and to succeed here you don't have to think like a man but bring the best traits of a woman," stated CJI Chandrachud. Supreme Court Bar Association President Kapil Sibal, in his speech, urged the Collegium to appoint more women judges to the High Courts and the Supreme Court.He specifically batted for women lawyers working in law firms who are experts in dealing with commercial cases..[Read complete thread here]