'Delhi High Court Truly Cosmopolitan; Doesn't Matter Where You Come From, Which Religion You Follow': Justice Jayant Nath In Farewell Speech

"This (Delhi High Court) Court is truly a cosmopolitan Court. It doesn't matter from which part of the Country you come from, which religion you follow, success in this Court comes from merit, not from your background," remarked Justice Jayant Nath on Tuesday while bidding farewell to the Delhi High Court.

Justice Jayant Nath was delivering his speech in a full Court farewell reference organised by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA).

Born on 10th November, 1959, Justice Nath was appointed as an Additional Judge of Delhi High Court on 17th April, 2013 and became permanent Judge in March, 2015.

"No Shortcut To Success": Justice Jayant Nath Advices Young Members Of The Bar

While reminiscing his early life, Justice Nath said that a number of junior members of the bar find it difficult to get good breaks in their initial stages which help them to build a strong career. He recalled how difficult his initial days of practice were at the bar being a first generation lawyer in the family.

Justice Nath said that all that the legal profession demands is a lot of hardwork. He adviced the younger lawyers to be sincere towards their briefs and clients.

"One advice that I received from my peers which I found really useful was that when you appear in Court, argue the matter properly. It's a public hearing. The bench is watching you. Your colleagues are watching you. The litigants are watching you. You have to be well prepared and have to put in your best to argue the case. Merely because you have a client who is not co-operative and does not pay his fees in time or is a difficult person would not be a ground not to do full justice to your brief. Excuses like there is a wedding in the family does not help. Because bad arguments in Court only reflect in your professional skills. The reasons why you performed badly in Court are not known to anybody. Blame will go on you," Justice Nath said.

He further suggested that a lawyer must return the brief back to his client if he is annoyed with the client for any reason, rather than going to the Court and arguing without preparing.

"To succeed in the profession is a back breaking struggle but I assure all the younger members of the Bar, work hard and success will surely come your way. But remember, there are no short cuts to success," he added.

Legal Profession Undergone Huge Change In Last Three To Four Decades: Justice Jayant Nath

Justice Nath further said that in the last 3 to 4 decades, the legal profession has undergone a huge change including Lawyers and legal profession which have prospered.

"When I joined the bar, there were only about 24 courtrooms and 25 to 30 judges. We today have 51 courtrooms with sanctioned strength of 60 judges. The decades from 1990 onwards when the boom took place in Indian economy, the legal profession has prospered," he added.

"I can say that the proof of this is apparent if one were to take a stroll down the expensive colonies of Delhi like Jor Bagh, Golf links. Number of properties have been brought by succesful lawyers."

However, Justice Nath added that he acknowledges the fact that legal profession is a tough profession and it is a difficult struggle to climb up the ladder.

Need To Engage Appropriate Machinery To Change Public Image Of Pendency Of Cases: Justice Nath

Justice Nath also expressed his views on the pendency of cases and public image concerning the same. He said that the pendency is there despite huge efforts made by the Courts and by the Bar members to dispose of the matters.

"The reasons for delay are many but are not really attributable to the Courts. All I can say is, the Court needs to take some steps to project this hard and good work that is being put in place by engaging an appropriate machinery. I need not say further in this, but I feel some image change would be useful," he said.

"It's a known fact that the Courts are overburdened with long pending cases. Unfortunately, the perception of a common man usually is to blame the Courts in the delay in disposal of cases. Much is said about the Courts going on vacations comparing it with school vacations. I can say with full conviction that this public image is not correct."

Justice Nath closed his address by thanking his staff, ex private secretary, PAs, Court masters, law researchers, family members, colleagues and members of the Bar for their cooperation.

Justice Nath Will Forever Be Remembered For His Eminence, Excellence As A Judge: Chief Justice DN Patel

Beginning the function with his address, Chief Justice DN Patel thanked Justice Nath for his contribution as a judge of the Court and also talked about the judgments delivered by him on numerous jurisdictions which have contributed towards growth of procedural and substantive law.

"Justice Nath will forever be remembered for his eminence and excellence as a judge of this Court. He shall be in our hearts as the member of the family. I'm sure that even after retirement he will always be eager to lend his helping hand whenever this institution requires his services," CJ DN Patel said.

He also added that Justice Nath is not only a good badminton player but is also a very cool and calm personality, a sportsman having a good sportsman spirit.

"You see, the meaning of sportsman spirit is that one should be able to digest whenever he is winning the match in life or whenever he is losing the match in life," he added.

Others who spoke in the function include Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur.

While Sharma praised Justice Nath for distinction in his demeanour being his humility, Mathur remembered him as a senior from his college.

"He conducted his Court with great patience and knew how to get the needles from the haystacks," Mathur said.

"I'm sure, I've heard it from so many people, that you're one of the most non controversial members of the Bar and let me keep it that way. There are some people who form the bulwark of an institution. By your humility and self efacing nature, you never announced yourself in any manner. That humility it is said is the natural by product of devotion. It is not service, it is at the heart of service. It's a self efacing, honesty and you don't carry that honesty on your sleeves, sir," ASG Sharma said.