Chief Justice of India CJI DY Chandrachud on Saturday said that it is becoming extremely challenging to attract the best talent to the bench, particularly in major global metropolitan cities, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
Speaking further about his experiences with young lawyers who refuse judgeship, CJI Chandrachud said he always tells them that if they don’t accept, they would eventually receive the judges they deserve.
He urged young lawyers to prevent that against this backdrop by making sure the best known are appointed to the bench.
“If you don’t accept judgeship today, then 25 years down the line, you will get the judges you deserve and we have to guard against that not for today but for what will be 15 or 20 years down the line if the best don’t come over to this institution in which all of you have a very important role to play,” he said.
The CJI was speaking at an event hosted by the Bombay High Court to felicitate his taking over as CJI. He added that he was not questioning the capability of the current crop of judges as they have been appointed after making significant sacrifices. But for the future, he noted, it is important that judge’s mentor new talent as early as the age of about 37.
He underscored how important it is for courts to guide young talent in the bar.
“But, looking to the future, I think it’s important that we mentor young talent right at the time when they are 37 or 38 or 39. Tell them that you are under watch now perhaps you are now under consideration.
That you will become a judge in the next five or six or seven years so that you we instil upon them the idea that they would be important elements of the decision-making process in this institution. The mentorship of young talent at the bar is crucial if our courts have to survive for the future.” he said.
