Legal minds from around the world gathered at the International Lawyer’s Conference in New Delhi to discuss emerging challenges in the justice delivery system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the conference on Saturday (September 23).
Addressing the conference, PM Modi underscored the pivotal role of the legal fraternity in a country’s development, hailing them as guardians of India’s judicial system. “For years, the judiciary and the bar have been the guardians of India’s judicial system”, he said. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the role of legal professionals in the freedom struggle. He gave examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Lokmanya Tilak, and Veer Savarkar.
PM Modi noted that the conference coincides with significant milestones in India, such as the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. “The Nari Shakti Vandan Act will give new direction and energy to women-led development in India”, the Prime Minister remarked.
The Prime Minister also touched upon global interconnectedness, highlighting the importance of addressing global issues like cyberterrorism, money laundering, and AI misuse through international legal frameworks. “When dangers are global, ways to deal with them should also be global”, said PM Modi. He added that preparing a global framework on such issues goes beyond just government matters but calls for connectedness among the legal frameworks of different countries.
Regarding Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), he highlighted India’s efforts to systematise dispute resolution through the Mediation Act and the significant role of Lok Adalats, which have resolved approximately 7 lakh cases in the last six years.
Highlighting an important aspect of justice delivery that is not talked about, the Prime Minister mentioned the simplicity of language and law. The Prime Minister gave insights about the government’s approach and informed about the ongoing discussion regarding presenting any law in two languages – one to which the legal system is accustomed and another for common citizens.
The conference is organized by the Bar Council of India and will span two days and delve into topics such as emerging legal trends, cross-border litigation challenges, legal technology, environmental law, and more.