New Delhi, Oct 28 Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday said differences of opinion and criticism are legitimate, but they must be expressed with fairness, restraint and respect for institutional integrity.
Speaking at 2nd Monthly Lecture Series on Law, Justice and Legal Education, he said the dignity of the justice system depends on how the members of the Bar conduct themselves, both inside and outside the courtroom.
“Differences of opinion and criticism are legitimate, but they must be expressed with fairness, restraint and respect for institutional integrity.
“In a world increasingly shaped by public visibility and commercial interests, professional ethics must remain our compass, ensuring that personal expression does not come at the cost of the trust that sustains the justice system,” the CJI said while speaking on theme, ‘The Importance of Ethics in the Legal Profession’.
CJI Kant said “we often measure professional success through the quality of arguments or the outcomes secured, yet, there is a more fundamental measure of a lawyer’s professional life, the manner in which that success is achieved”.
“Legal knowledge provides the tools of the profession; ethics determine how those tools ought to be used. Without this distinction, professional competence risks becoming detached from the larger purpose of justice.
“The administration of justice depends upon a relationship of professional trust between the Bench and the Bar. Courts rely upon advocates to present relevant facts, identify the applicable law and test competing arguments with intellectual honesty,” he said.
The CJI said the strength of adversarial system lies not merely in the ability to argue forcefully, but in the assurance that the contest is conducted within ethical boundaries.
When that assurance weakens, the consequences extend beyond an individual proceeding to public confidence in the justice system, he added.
He said “ethics also require us to reflect on the responsibilities that accompany the privileges of the profession”.
“For a person approaching a lawyer, often in a moment of uncertainty, the legal profession becomes the first point of contact with the justice system. Honesty in advice, diligence in representation, fairness in professional fees and sensitivity towards vulnerable litigants are therefore not peripheral considerations.
“They are essential expressions of professional responsibility and public service. These values must be cultivated from the earliest stages of legal education. Students must learn not only the law, but also the judgment required to navigate situations in which professional obligations are tested. Legal ethics cannot be confined to memorising Rules of Conduct,” he said.
CJI Kant said legal ethics must encourage future lawyers to confront difficult questions, appreciate competing responsibilities and understand the consequences of their choices.
“Ethical conduct must not be treated as an obligation to be recalled only when a complaint arises. It must inform the everyday decisions of the Bar, the Bench and those entrusted with legal education. The credibility of our profession rests on the trust it inspires, and that trust must be earned through consistent integrity and accountability,” he said.
Professor Dr Venkata Rao, Vice-Chancellor of IIULER, Goa, was the chief guest at the Monthly Lecture.
Attorney General R Venkataramani and Supreme Court Bar Association president Pradeep Kumar Rai also spoke on the occasion.
(PTI News)
