Bridging Justice: Legal Aid and Mediation's Role in Unclogging Indian Judiciary

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai emphasized on Wednesday that relying solely on traditional litigation procedures won't ensure justice for every citizen in the country. He argued that the path to justice, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities, is often obstructed by social, economic, and geographical hurdles.

Speaking at a lecture organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association, CJI Gavai highlighted the collaborative role between the bar and the bench to assure legal aid and mediation serve as essential tools for justice. He articulated that mediation is a restorative process, contrasting with the punitive nature of traditional litigation, encouraging senior advocates to guide clients towards mediation.

Vikas Singh, SCBA president, echoed the CJI's sentiments, stating that justice and mediation are inseparable processes. With over 5.36 crore pending cases, both Singh and Gavai believed that mediation could significantly reduce case backlogs, ensuring a more efficient justice delivery system in India.

(With inputs from agencies.)