Stories
CJI Surya Kant Engages CNLU Students in Historic Open Interaction
- •CJI Justice Surya Kant held the first-ever open interaction with law students at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna.
- •Justice Surya Kant addressed student questions on legal education, student rights, judicial reforms, and challenges for young lawyers.
- •He reaffirmed the judiciary's commitment to protecting students' fundamental right to peaceful protest and called for financial support for first-generation young lawyers.
- •The CJI assured students that concerns regarding rising tuition fees and inadequate scholarships would be addressed.
- •Discussions included a proposal for a restructured five-year law degree with a mandatory final-year court apprenticeship and the rationale behind not publicizing Collegium dissenting opinions.
Key Questions Answered
During his first-ever open house interaction with law students at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant addressed several vital topics, including legal education, student rights, judicial reforms, and the hurdles confronting young lawyers.
CNLU Vice-Chancellor Prof Faizan Mustafa proposed restructuring the five-year law course by dedicating four years to academic study followed by a mandatory final-year court apprenticeship. This approach aims to integrate practical litigation experience directly into legal education and eliminate the separate one-year practice requirement for judicial service examinations.
CJI Surya Kant explained that disclosing dissenting opinions could place the individual under consideration in a difficult position while potentially harming their dignity and reputation. He noted that a judge or Chief Justice could not function effectively if adverse observations made against them during Collegium deliberations were made public.