'Legal Aid Work A Bit Neglected': CJI UU Lalit Urges Young Law Graduates To Devote Time To Legal Aid

Chief Justice of India (CJI) UU Lalit on Saturday while delivering the convocation address at the 9th Convocation Ceremony of National Law University Odisha highlighted that the legal aid work in the country is neglected and therefore urged young law graduates to devote their time and energy in providing legal aid services as much as possible. 

Recounting his experience as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), CJI Lalit remarked, "For last about a year and a half, I've associated with legal aid work and what I find is, I don't mean to complain or to show any disrespect but somehow the legal aid work in this country is a bit neglected." 

Thus, urging young law graduates to engage in legal aid services which would also instil a sense of compassion in them, CJI Lalit underscored, "You are the young torch bearers now, think of legal aid to a certain extent. Devote your time, energy to the extent possible to legal aid work and it will again bring you back to that level of compassion. That compassion will drive you in the right direction."

CJI Lalit also advised the young graduates to be passionate about the legal profession and immerse themselves completely in it. He also opined that apart from passion, one must also possess compassion for fellow human beings and country men. 

Highlighting that compassion is a guiding factor when one is in doubt or in any dispute, the CJI said, "Apart from passion, there must be compassion for fellow human beings and country men. That compassion will tell you what exactly the course is that must be adopted in case there be any dispute, doubt. If you go by these two logics- passion and compassion, you would have done tremendously well in the profession in years to come."

Pertinently, the CJI also opined that the legal profession has been one of the front runners when it comes to keeping civil rights intact and that the history of every society shows that those who are legal minds have been the beacons and pathbreakers when it comes to raising voice against injustice.

"Even freedom fighters, drafters of constitutions were from this profession. Hereafter the society will be looking forward to your contributions", CJI Lalit remarked further. 

The CJI also urged the young law graduates to pursue judicial service apart from the conventional options such as corporate law or litigation. He remarked, "Judicial service shall be the most promising one, the most satisfying one. The training you've had, you can utilise that to achieve dispute resolution from the first core that is, you yourself as the judges. You'll definitely be helping the fellow countrymen."

He concluded his address by encouraging the young graduates to give back to the society by remarking, "Whatever you have learnt, give it back to the society. Good luck to everyone!"

The Chief Justice of India, U.U. Lalit is invited as the Chief Guest for National Law School Odisha's Ninth Annual Convocation. CJI Lalit delivers the convocation address for the event.#CJILalit #NLUO

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) September 17, 2022