Thread by @barandbench

Felicitation function in honour of Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit, organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, to commence shortly.

Follow this thread for updates.

#CJI #UdayUmeshLalit #SupremeCourt

Seen here: Attorney General KK Venugopal, CJI UU Lalit, SCBA president Sr Adv Vikas Singh, Sr Adv Pradeep Rai.

#SupremeCourt #CJI

1st speaker mentions demands of the bar with regard to needing a bigger library space, ladies bar room etc.

Sr Adv Pradeep Rai: CJI Lalit always seen with a smile. He has not spared any stone unturned as far as professional ethics are concerned. One of the most handsome personalities in the Supreme Court, as we in the Bar know.

(CJI Lalit smiles)

#UdayUmeshLalit #SupremeCourt

Rai: Madam is a teacher, stood by him like rock of Gibraltar. But we don't believe that he took up the judgeship without consulting her.

#UdayUmeshLalit #cji #SupremeCourt

Rai: When he became CJI, expectation of entire bar is on his shoulders, we have to many expectations, we feel very proud for a member of the Bar to be CJI. Lordship is fond of traveling. He said while getting the Q-7 that it gives him speed and control, something judges...

Rai: also need to dispose of cases and deal with the law. Ours is not a bar only for the affluent. That's why we requested that rent of chambers during covid should be ...

#UdayUmeshLalit #SupremeCourt

Rai: Lordship has lovely wife, father is alive. One son is in profession, doing well along with his family.

Rai ends with a Sanskrit shloka that means one is learned if they maintain confidentiality.

AG KK Venugopal now addresses the gathering.

AG: We're very happy that one among us in the Bar is holding the highest judicial office in the country. Only few of us have had the privilege of being directly elevated. Additionally happy ...

#SupremeCourt #UdayUmeshLalit

AG: to have a CJI of unquestionable integrity and calm, he doesn't raise his voice whatever may be the provocation. His tenure so far has shown us that he is committed to plan a seed of lasting change an Dr this augurs well for the Court.

AG mentions @barandbench news report about fast disposal of cases during CJI Lalit's tenure so far.

barandbench.com/news/supreme-c…

AG: Laywers happy to have their cases listed after ages, CJI has worked hard and passed significant prefers towards mitigating circumstances for death penalty. One always leaves his Court with satisfaction of being heard fairly.

AG: I can go on praising Justice Lalit , but i wish him the best for now.

#SupremeCourt #UdayUmeshLalit

Sr Adv Vikas Singh addresses the gathering.

Singh: This particular felicitation very very special for us, not just because CJI is from the Bar, he's the first CJI from Bar practicing in SC for a good number of years before elevation.

Singh: He's probably the first CJI in independent India who knows first hand the problems of our bar. Others really never practiced in this Court, some couldn't make it to CJI like Justices Nariman, Khanwilkar, Nageswara Rao. Very hopeful that even in a...

#UdayUmeshLalit

Singh: short tenure we will achieve what we have never achieved. I will bring my demands today, there will obviously be a report card when you demit office. I must point out pressing issues of the Bar.

Singh: Listing like the AG has said has really improved. Litigants and bar happy, matters getting listed after two years. Issue is sometimes matters get listed last minute leaving us little time to prepare.

Singh: Next is elevation of our members to HCs. I see very good young lawyers arguing, i don't even know their names but they would be an asset to the judiciary. If the collegium can pass a resolution that HCs should consider our members for elevation that would go a long way.

Singh mentions issues of space constraints in library and lunch room: Someone of volume can't even fit properly. I'm sure and Hopeful you'll be able to take care of these. Also Gate E is not opening , i don't why when everything is there ready. Accessibility also major issue.

Singh: Our members, even from EC, humiliated during checking. Please pardon me for raising this now but I'm sure these will be addressed.

Singh mentions other issues like passovers not being given and senior designations not being allotted every six months

Singh: I'm stubborn in terms of chamber allotment. Some chambers alloted to BCI, when they have a building next door there's no reason for them to have it here

Singh: They have no statutory tole to perform here, for them to take chambers here is Completely unacceptable.

Correction: * role

Singh: We have never gone on strike since litigants should not suffer. I read a newspaper report saying judges are having a rift, i was there in Court judges didn't say anything against this Court or other judge. Adjournment was only given because they said..

Singh: new listing system will take some time for others to adjust to.

Singh reiterates demand for judges retirement age to increase.

CJI now speaks

CJI: I see so many familiar faces, some who worked with me, argued against me, makes me nostalgic. Shared table with some of you during lunch or had coffee. Where do I begin? I came here way back in '85. But first brush was in '75-80 when Spl Courts Act ...

CJI: was being argued. I sat by the entire case. The stalwarts at the time, that was a great learning case. First mentioning was before Justice YV Chandrachud. Have gone through every role that someone in SC can - as a student, junior, AoR office, joining a senior's office

CJI: then suspending my AoR practice till my designation. So been through everything except one - was never a law officer.

#UdayUmeshLalit

CJI on the secret behind his arguing skills: The man behind that is Mr KK Venugopal. The way he argues and places a matter and its facts, so calmly putting even the court in comfort.

CJI recalls a tale from his days in the Bar: When i joined Parekh and Co there was a huge shipping matter, we briefed a senior who was not happy with the preparation and pleadings. She flared up and blasted even the clients. And said the proper place for us is in a jail.

CJI: We were told we want someday else. Very well, with lot reluctance and after not being able to persuade our clients otherwise, and narrated everything to Mr Venugopal. His expressions was, and i don't forget that because it is ingrained in my mind. All he said was ...

CJI: Ai ai o. That's the man and his temperament.
Lot of things have been said, it is true that with new listing system there are teething issues at the start. What was reported is not corrected, all judges are on the same page.

*correction: *is not correct

CJI: The disposal of cases (5000) on the last few days have been due to the efforts of my fellow judges. Yes, last minute listing of judges created enormous workload, so indebted to my brother and sister judges for discharging duties with smiles

CJI: Lot of the matters were pending, that's why we had to list them.

CJI: never had the dream of SC judgeship. It is not that my wife did not know that i would be offered judgeship, such things cannot be done without her consultation.

CJI: now to the demands. It is true that library built before will not suffice for today, all i can promise is i will appoint committees to take decisions in this regard. Privileged to stand before you, consider myself lucky to have been part of SCBA. Taught me everything,

CJI: conduct of matters, hwo to argue, i learnt from my seniors on a platter which was a great experience.
Privilege to be lawyer, this profession has given me everything, whatever i am today is because of it.

#UdayUmeshLalit #SupremeCourt

CJI: maybe in two months time when i demit office that will be the final icing on the cake.

CJI address ends.

CJI presented with a memento by SCBA president Vikas Singh.

Vote of thanks being delivered by joint secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, advocate Rohit Pandey.