CJI Surya Kant Calls for Uniform Judicial Policy to Ensure Predictable Justice
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Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized the need for predictability in the judicial approach, urging the development of a national judicial policy to ensure consistency across courts. Speaking on Constitution Day, the CJI warned that inconsistency undermines access to justice and public confidence. He envisioned a 'judicial symphony' where courts work together to deliver uniformity without sacrificing diversity. The CJI anchored his message in the core guarantee of access to justice, describing it as the foundation upon which other rights rest. However, he acknowledged a gap between constitutional aspiration and lived experiences, particularly for marginalized communities. To bridge this gap, he proposed three pillars of meaningful access: predictability, affordability, and timeliness. The CJI called for attention to judicial infrastructure, which he defined as not just physical buildings but also technological, administrative, and human systems. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, technology-enabled processes, and systems that enhance credibility and reduce barriers. According to the CJI, achieving access to justice requires collaboration among institutions working under a shared constitutional mandate. He encouraged the judiciary to evolve and prioritize predictability, affordability, and timeliness to ensure that justice is delivered effectively and efficiently.
