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Chief Justice of India on Saturday called for a culture of “healthy disagreement and deliberation” among BRICS countries, saying that the grouping should evolve into a “living Nalanda University” that provides a hospitable space for diverse legal systems and perspectives.

Addressing heads of delegations and delegates from BRICS member states and partner countries on the second day of deliberations at the BRICS Chief Justices' Forum in New Delhi, the CJI stressed the importance of timely and predictable delivery of justice.

Drawing on the example of the ancient Nalanda University, the CJI said it had welcomed students and researchers from across the world without discrimination or barriers. Importantly, he noted, Nalanda did not require scholars to agree on a common system of law or philosophy before admitting them.

Instead, it provided a space for disagreement and deliberation, the CJI said, adding that “BRICS should also be known as the living Nalanda University.”




 


Global judicial cooperation in focus

Those who addressed the gathering included Luiz Edson Fachin(joining virtually), President of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil; Zhang Jun, Chief Justice of the People's Republic of China and President of the Supreme People's Court; Boulos Fahmy Iskander Boulos, Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt; and Tewodros Meheret Kebede, President of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia.

The participating judicial heads also included Sunarto, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia; Ayatollah Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Eje'I, Chief Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Igor Krasnov, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation; and Mahube Betty Molemela, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa.

Representing the UAE was Mohammed Hamad Al Badi Al Dhaheri, President of the UAE Federal Supreme Court. The other judicial leaders included Andrei Shved, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus; Dr. Romer Saucedo Gomez, President of the Supreme Court of Bolivia; and Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The forum was also addressed by Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Bin Jais, President of the Court of Appeal of Malaysia; Muntharee Ujjin, President of the Court of Appeal of Thailand; Dr. Flavian Zeija, Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda; and Malikakhon Kalandarova, Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

President of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, Luiz Edson Fachin, called for greater international collaboration and multipolarity. He also stressed the importance of international law amid the current period of global instability and transition, underlining the need to uphold the rule of law in the international order.

China's Chief Justice Zhang Jun highlighted judicial cooperation and solidarity among BRICS members and partner countries. He also emphasised rule-based international trade and commerce, the judiciary's role in advancing social equity and justice, and the growing use of artificial intelligence in judicial functioning.

Zhang also pointed to the expanding role of courts in resolving cross-border commercial disputes and called for greater cooperation between legal systems towards the development of a broader “world judicial civilisation”.

Egypt's Chief Justice spoke about the need for a free and fair legal system with a common global voice, while Ethiopia's Federal Supreme Court President focused on alternative dispute resolution and the relationship between the rule of law and economic development. Indonesia's Chief Justice called for the exchange of judicial best practices and a durable platform for judicial dialogue.

The discussions also addressed emerging challenges facing courts in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.

The UAE Federal Supreme Court President highlighted arbitration and mediation as important components of the modern economy. While acknowledging that digital technology and AI are advancing justice delivery systems, he cautioned that technological progress should not eliminate the human element from judicial processes.

He also emphasised the importance of environmental law in protecting the rights of future generations.

South Africa's judicial leadership highlighted the role of courts in ecological governance, while Russia's Chief Justice emphasised BRICS' role in international cooperation and the development of a multipolar world. Iran's Chief Justice raised concerns relating to human rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as humanitarian crises and civilian displacement.

The second day of the forum featured four substantive sessions covering issues of growing importance to courts and legal systems worldwide.

The sessions focused on:

Mediation and International Commercial Disputes, examining mediation as a strategic means of resolving international commercial disputes.

Cross-Border Enforcement of Arbitral Awards, addressing enforcement challenges and the possibility of greater procedural harmonisation.

Artificial Intelligence and the Judiciary, exploring digital innovation, AI and the future of judicial administration.

Judicial Leadership and Sustainable Development, examining the judiciary's role in ecological governance and sustainable energy systems.

 


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