Trying to address issue of vacancies in higher judiciary urgently: CJI

“I have been emphasising on augmenting the infrastructure for very long. I have a proposal to address this issue in a time-bound manner. A comprehensive proposal for the creation of the National Judicial Infrastructure Corporation is under preparation, he said, adding a proposal in this regard will reach the Law Minister very soon.

I expect full cooperation from the government, he said.

The CJI said though access to justice has been strongly provided, still lakhs of people are unable to approach the courts to seek remedy and high expenditure and long delays, which are a part of our legal process, are the biggest challenge.

Justice Ramana said another area that needs to be highlighted is that majority of women lawyers struggle within the profession and very few of them have found representation at the top.

After 75 years of independence, one would expect at least 50 percent representation for women at all levels but I must admit, with great difficulty we have now achieved a mere 11 percent of women representation on the bench of the Supreme Court, he said.

The CJI said some states, because of reservation policy, may reveal higher representation but the reality remains that the legal profession still has to welcome women into its fold.

He said bar council and bar associations are his weakness and he has enjoyed his life as a member of the bar more than as a judge.

Today, I feel that more than being felicitated, I am being reminded of my responsibilities as the Chief Justice of India, he said.

The CJI highlighted a new trend in the profession similar to what has happened in foreign countries.

I am referring to corporatisation of the profession, he said, adding, Common people cannot afford quality legal advice at corporate prices which is an area of concern.