Justice Surya Kant calls for shift from academic to practical training for judicial officers

Calling for a fundamental shift from the traditional academic methods of training judicial officers during their year-long preparation in judicial academies, Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court today advocated for a stronger emphasis on practical training.

Addressing 110 newly inducted judicial officers of Haryana at the commencement of their one-year training programme at Chandigarh Judicial Academy, Justice Kant asserted that the real test of their competence was not in theoretical knowledge but in its application.

Justice Kant was of the view that their journey from law school to the Bench had already proven their brilliance. They had excelled in their legal education, graduated from reputable law schools with high marks, and successfully cleared competitive examinations and interviews conducted by the high court. But the real challenge now was to master the art of justice delivery in real-world scenarios

“So about your brilliance, your competence, your ability, there cannot be any doubt. And that is why normally our emphasis is not to repeat the curriculum…. We presume that you are aware of it. But how to apply those tools? Where to apply? To what extent to apply? In what situation, how you deal with that? These are the part and parcel of the training curriculum. And this should be the part of this entire training programme,” Justice Kant asserted.

He urged the judicial academy to focus on the practical intricacies of adjudication, courtroom demeanour, and ethical conduct, cautioning that a judge’s reputation was shaped not only within the courtroom but also in the public sphere.

“I believe, I am confident, that those who are looking after the training, the judicial academy, and those who formulate the training program for you, will really emphasize on that basic, the practical training part, not on the academic part, which you are already well conversant. As I said, the entire public faith in judiciary depends on account of your behaviour,” Justice Kant added.

The gathering was also told that the judiciary did not confer power upon its officers but entrusted them with a profound duty— to serve the Constitution, uphold constitutional morality, and ensure the faith of the common citizen in the legal system remained unshaken.

“To me, all of us are servants of justice,” Justice Kant asserted, while rejecting the notion of judicial officers as wielders of authority. They were also described as the first and most crucial representatives of justice in the eyes of litigants.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu referred to the immense responsibility that came with the position. He stressed the need for impartiality, integrity, and the highest standards of conduct, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental wellbeing for judges to perform their duties effectively. He encouraged the inductees to ask questions during their training to enhance their knowledge and contribute positively to the judiciary.

High Court Judge and CJA Board of Governors’ president, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, emphasized that the word “Judge” encapsulates it all—signifying a Jurist, unwavering commitment, diligence, grace, and ethical conduct. The event also saw the launch of Justice Shekhar Dhawan’s memoir, “My Journey,” offering insights into his 40-year journey as a judicial officer and a HC judge before his retirement.  CJA director (administration) made “expression of gratitude”.