Shift to practical training for judicial officers: SC Judge
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 the Chandigarh Judicial Academy (CJA), Justice Kant asserted that the real test of their competence was not in theoretical knowledge, but in its application.
He was of the view that their journey from law school to the Bench had already proven their brilliance. He said the real challenge was to master the art of justice delivery in real-world scenarios.
“We presume that you are aware of the curriculum. 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.
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, emphasising the importance of physical and mental well-being 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 emphasised 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 insight into his 40-year journey as a judicial officer and an HC judge before his retirement.
