Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Friday impressed upon the newly qualified Advocates-on-Record (AOR) to balance their professional practice by taking up cases that contribute to social justice.
CJI Khanna emphasized the crucial role of AORs in the legal system, stating that the Supreme Court has high expectations from them.
“Supreme Court expects a lot from you. This court deals with everything. Please do cases—one for your kitchen and one for society. That will be good and keep a record of pro bono work.” he advised.
He was addressing newly qualified AoRs who had assembled in the CJI's court.
356 lawyers cleared the AoR exam of 2024 making them eligible to file cases in Supreme Court.
Supreme Court expects a lot from you.CJI Sanjiv Khanna
The CJI referred to Justice Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan's recent judgment in which the Supreme Court had taken suo motu note of the misrepresentation in legal filings and the conduct of AoRs.
The judgment has laid down all that you should do, the CJI reminded.
The CJI then shared his experience in drafting legal documents during his formative years in the profession.
"From my experience, I was told to draft a petition for a case happening abroad. I drafted three pages of arguments. The advocate returned it, saying we shortened it to three paragraphs. So remember, it is not the length of arguments but the length of the paperwork that also matters sometimes."
Justice KV Viswanathan, addressing the gathering, reminded the advocates that they are now the torchbearers of the legal fraternity.
“Now the baton has been passed,” he remarked.
Justice PV Sanjay Kumar called upon them to "be clear and brief in your pleadings."