SC Judge B V Nagarathna Flags Rising Legal Costs and Delays at NLU Delhi Convocation
Supreme Court judge B V Nagarathna on Saturday expressed concern over pendency, delays, and rising costs in the Indian legal system, calling upon the bar to change its mindset and rethink its role to sustain the justice dispensation mechanism. She was addressing students and faculty at the 13th convocation of the National Law University in New Delhi.
Justice Nagarathna emphasized that bar councils must introspect on their duty to uphold professional ethics, morality, and competence. She noted that when a bar council fails to earn the respect of its members, it reflects poorly on the entire legal profession.
Reminding lawyers that they serve as torchbearers of constitutional values, Justice Nagarathna stated that lapses by the bar have significant impacts on political and civic life. She urged legal practitioners to approach their work for clients as a form of public service rather than losing relevance in the future. She described the independence of the legal bar not as an entitlement, but as a necessity for constitutional democracy, allowing professionals to argue and represent without seeking permission from the state or markets.
Addressing modern developments in legal practice, Justice Nagarathna highlighted the limitations of artificial intelligence, stating that human judgment cannot be automated. She cautioned advocates against relying on fake judgments generated by AI tools, advising them not to fall prey to hallucinations. She explained that critical legal work demands communication, strategy, human understanding, and judgment.
Justice Nagarathna also underlined the growing significance of Alternative Dispute Resolution, including arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, noting that traditional litigation faces procedural complexity, delay, and high expenses.
During the convocation ceremony, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya conferred degrees upon the graduating students. Several other judges of the Delhi High Court and NLU Delhi Chancellor Prof G S Bajpai were also present at the event.
