Justice Surya Kant on Saturday underlined that the justice system must serve people in distress irrespective of their financial capacity, urging institutions to align legal processes with the needs of communities that struggle to access courts and remedies.Speaking at a convocation ceremony at Chanakya National Law University, Justice Kant said the law could not be the preserve of those who could afford prolonged litigation or specialist representation. He stressed the need to “bend the arc of justice” towards groups that remain underserved by legal institutions, a message that resonated with graduates entering a profession facing mounting questions about equity, access and public trust.
The remarks come amid wider debate within the legal fraternity over delays, costs and procedural complexity that often place justice beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. Justice Kant’s address framed access to justice as a constitutional promise that requires continuous recalibration, rather than a static ideal. He emphasised that courts, lawyers and law schools share responsibility for ensuring that legal aid mechanisms work effectively on the ground.
Justice Kant highlighted the expanding role of legal services authorities and pro bono initiatives, noting that statutory frameworks exist but require sustained commitment to translate intent into outcomes. He said the profession must move beyond tokenism and treat legal aid as a core professional obligation, not a charitable add-on. The effectiveness of such systems, he added, depends on young lawyers being trained to value service alongside advocacy.
At the convocation, Justice Kant drew attention to structural barriers that discourage marginalised communities from approaching courts, including language, geography and the cost of pursuing cases over long periods. He argued that legal education should sensitise students to these realities, equipping them to design solutions that respond to social context rather than replicate inherited models.
The judge also reflected on the judiciary’s role in reinforcing public confidence. He said transparency in decision-making and clarity in judgments were essential to ensure that litigants understood outcomes, even when verdicts went against them. According to Justice Kant, trust in institutions grows when people feel heard and respected, not merely when cases are disposed of.
Legal education institutions, he said, must adapt curricula to emphasise clinical training, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, areas that can reduce the burden on courts while offering quicker relief to parties. He pointed to the potential of technology-enabled services to bridge gaps, provided digital tools are deployed with sensitivity to access and literacy constraints.
Justice Kant’s comments also touched on the ethical dimension of legal practice. He cautioned against an overly commercial view of the profession that sidelines public service. While acknowledging the realities of modern legal careers, he said the constitutional vision demands a balance between professional success and societal responsibility.
The address was attended by faculty members, students and legal professionals, many of whom viewed the remarks as a reminder of the judiciary’s continuing engagement with reform. Graduating students were urged to consider careers in public interest litigation, legal aid clinics and policy work, areas that often lack sufficient manpower despite pressing demand.
Within the broader judicial discourse, the emphasis on access aligns with ongoing efforts by courts to streamline procedures and encourage alternative mechanisms for dispute resolution. While structural reform remains gradual, voices from within the judiciary calling for inclusive justice add momentum to conversations about how law is practised and taught.