CJI Surya Kant Seeks Uniform Judicial Policy to Boost Predictability and Access to Justice

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In a landmark address on Constitution Day, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized the need for a uniform national judicial policy to minimize unpredictable verdicts and promote consistency across constitutional courts. Speaking at a Supreme Court event, the CJI highlighted the importance of predictability in the judicial approach, stating that it is high time for the judiciary to reinforce clarity and consistency in its decisions. The CJI observed that India's diverse high courts and multiple benches of the Supreme Court can lead to divergence of opinions in cases, resulting in unpredictability. To address this, he proposed the evolution of a uniform national judicial policy, which would encourage coherence across jurisdictions and enable courts to speak with one voice. Justice Kant emphasized that justice should not be a fragmented system, but rather a symphony of voices and languages guided by a common constitutional score. He underscored the importance of access to justice, highlighting that without it, liberties become mere ornaments and constitutional guarantees lose their impact on people's lives. The CJI identified predictability, affordability, and timeliness as the core supports of access to justice, but noted that the current justice delivery system still falls short of these ideals, particularly for marginalized communities. He proposed augmenting judicial infrastructure, including physical, technological, administrative, and human systems, to support effective justice delivery. The CJI also highlighted the role of mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution in transforming the justice delivery system. He emphasized the importance of using technology to democratize access to justice, but cautioned that it must be deployed with sensitivity and inclusivity. As India positions itself as a preferred destination for international dispute resolution, Justice Kant emphasized the need for the comity of courts to be a living reality, rather than an abstract diplomatic ideal. He expressed confidence that the Indian Constitution has guided the country's progress from a young nation to a global economic power, and that it remains the stabilizing force behind India's growth and development.