The Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant has said that judicial leadership is undermined when judges project an image of perfection instead of embracing humility and continuous learning.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 11th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute in New Delhi, the CJI emphasised that judges are not “finished products” upon elevation to the Bench. He observed that the strength of the judiciary lies not in claims of infallibility, but in a willingness to evolve, introspect and improve.
Justice Kant remarked that the perception of judges as flawless authorities can be damaging to institutional growth. According to him, genuine leadership within the judiciary requires openness to learning and the ability to acknowledge limitations. He underscored that intellectual humility enhances credibility and deepens public trust in courts.
Drawing from the ancient Indian maxim “Vidya dadati vinayam” (knowledge fosters humility), the CJI highlighted that education should cultivate modesty and self-awareness. He noted that the most respected jurists in history were those who combined scholarship with a clear recognition of their own fallibility.
The conference, centred on the theme of strengthening judicial leadership through education, provided a platform for discussions on how judges can adapt to modern challenges. Justice Kant stressed that in a rapidly changing world, judicial officers must balance fidelity to precedent with responsiveness to emerging societal realities.
He described the Commonwealth judicial education network as a valuable forum that promotes cross-border dialogue while respecting the diversity of legal traditions among member nations. Such collaboration, he said, helps build institutional resilience and shared wisdom without compromising local legal identities.
In his address, the CJI proposed exploring the creation of a Commonwealth-level apex platform to coordinate efforts among major legal bodies, including the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Commonwealth Legal Education Association and the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association. He suggested that a structured mechanism could strengthen cooperation in areas of doctrine, training and judicial practice.
Justice Kant also highlighted the importance of engaging younger members of the legal community in shaping the future of judicial institutions. Encouraging new perspectives, he said, would help ensure that Commonwealth judicial structures remain dynamic and future-ready.
The conference agenda includes discussions on the intersection of law and technology, environmental justice, maintaining judicial integrity, safeguarding public confidence, judicial wellness, and the art of writing clear and reasoned judgments. The CJI urged participants to treat the gathering as a collaborative exercise in collective learning aimed at strengthening the foundations of judicial leadership across jurisdictions.
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