CJI Calls for Regional Language Training in Legal Education

Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, emphasized the importance of training law students in regional languages and laws to improve access to the legal system. Addressing the convocation of Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, he highlighted how common people struggle with legal proceedings due to language barriers.

Chief Justice of India Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday stressed that law students must be proficient in regional languages and laws to enhance people's access to the legal system.

Speaking at the third convocation of Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow, Justice Chandrachud highlighted the need to teach legal education in simpler language, pointing out this as a major shortfall in the legal profession.

The Supreme Court's research department found that many citizens struggle to understand their legal rights and entitlements due to the predominance of English in legal education and proceedings. Justice Chandrachud suggested incorporating regional languages alongside English to bridge this gap.

He further emphasized the need to teach laws related to regional issues in universities. For instance, students must be familiar with local land records to assist individuals effectively. Justice Chandrachud noted the diverse languages and dialects across India, underscoring the challenge of making justice accessible to all.

In higher courts, proceedings are often conducted in English, alienating the very people whose cases are being heard. As Chief Justice, Chandrachud has initiated directives to translate judgments into different languages to make them comprehensible for the common man.

He pointed out the difficulty of teaching constitutional principles in regional languages and urged for more effective legal education methods. Other countries successfully conduct legal education and proceedings in local languages, a practice India could emulate to create socially responsible lawyers attuned to local issues.

Several dignitaries, including UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath, were present at the event.

(With inputs from agencies.)