Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud Addresses the J20 Summit

The honourable Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, addressed the J20 summit, and during his address he said that, “Our courts have come to be reimagined not as imposing ’empires’, but as democratic spaces of discourse.”

What is the J20 Summit?

The aim of this summit is to foster dialogue on pressing legal matters. Scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro from May 12–14, the “J20—Summit of Heads of Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts of G20 Members” brings together 20 heads of superior courts, including the Chief Justice of India.

This summit centers around three pivotal themes: “Promotion of citizenship and social inclusion by the Judiciary; Climate litigation and sustainable development; and Digital transformation and leveraging technology for enhanced judicial efficiency.”

Chief Justice’s Address

Chief Justice of India, through his address, stated that how the Indian courts have transformed from being a imposing and hierarchical institutions, akin to “empires,” where proceedings were conducted in opaque physical spaces. However, the pandemic necessitated rapid changes, pushing courts to adapt and innovate. This adaptation has resulted in courts becoming more democratic spaces of discourse, where accessibility and transparency are enhanced through measures such as remote hearings and digital documentation. In essence, the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of courts beyond their traditional confines, fostering greater openness and inclusivity in the judicial process.

“Our courts have transformed from being imposing ’empires’ to becoming democratic spaces of discourse. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the boundaries of our court systems, compelling them to change overnight. Courts have evolved beyond just opaque physical spaces,” said CJI Chandrachud