'Kerala High Court Has Formidable Women Lawyers, Gave First Woman Supreme Court Judge': Justice N Nagaresh In Farewell Address

Speaking at his farewell reference organized at the Kerala High Court on Tuesday (March 31), Justice N Nagaresh–who demitted office upon superannuation, gave special commendation to formidable force of high court's women lawyers who he said were rated to be best in the country. The farewell reference was attended by the members of the Bar, senior law officers, and colleagues from the Bench, all of whom paid rich tributes to Justice Nagaresh's contributions to the legal profession and the judiciary.In his farewell address, Justice Nagaresh spoke about the evolving legal profession, particularly commending the growing presence and excellence of women lawyers in the High Court.“This High Court, which has given to the nation, the first women High Court Judge, the first woman High Court Chief Justice, the first woman Supreme Court Judge and the first visually challenged women Judge can also boast of a formidable force of women lawyers who can be safely rated to be one of the best in the country in their work culture. It is indeed good to see their numbers swell, year after year, I wish to give our lady lawyers a special commendation. Go to any other High Court, even the Supreme Court, you will never see women lawyers so immaculately dressed in their robes as our lady lawyers,” Justice Nagaresh said. He acknowledged the guidance of his mentor O.V. Radhakrishnan, and emphasized the importance of rigorous training and ethical grounding for young lawyers.“Every year the youngsters joining the profession swells in 1000s. I have found many of the young lawyers practicing here highly promising and I am confident that they will be tomorrow leaders of the bar. The significance of getting trained under a good senior in the formative years as a lawyer cannot be over-emphasised. My advice to young friends who come into the profession is to get themselves trained not only in law but also in professional ethics and principle,” the Judge said. Justice Nagaresh concluded by expressing gratitude to his family, colleagues, and staff, acknowledging their support throughout his career.“I think there is no meaning in pondering how posterity will rate me as a judge or whether anyone will remember my existence here after a long time. I would be happy and feel gratified that during the last over seven years you have found me to be a not so bad Judge. I can say with certainty that I have treated all the layers who has appeared before me with courtesy and respect whether I had agreed with their contentions or granted them the reliefs asked for or not,” Justice Naagresh added. Justice Nagaresh was born in Vaikkom in Kerala. He obtained a law degree from Bombay University and post graduation from Government Law College, Ernakulam. Justice Nagaresh enrolled as an advocate on 17 December 1989 and started practice at Ernakulam in the Chambers of Senior Advocate O. V. Radhakrishnan. He commenced independent practice in 1995 and he has appeared and conducted cases involving constitutional law, administrative laws, service laws, labour laws, tax laws, excise and customs laws and other matters before the High Court as well as the Ernakulam Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal. He has served as a central government counsel from 1998 till 2004. He served as the assistant solicitor general of India, High Court of Kerala, from 17 July 2014 to 1 November 2018. He was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court of Kerala on 5 November 2018.He was appointed as permanent judge of the High Court of Kerala with effect from 14 September 2020.Also speaking at the reference, Chief Justice Soumen Sen highlighted that during his tenure, Justice Nagaresh disposed of over 20,000 cases across Single, Division, and Full Benches. “His judgments reflect clarity of thought, depth of analysis, and a careful balancing of competing interests,” the Chief Justice said, adding that his work significantly enriched the jurisprudence of the Court.“Whether dealing with the complex constitutional questions, intricate statutory interpretations or matters affecting the lives of ordinary citizens, he has consistently displayed a deep sense of justice and human concern. While he now lays down the robs of judicial office, the wealth of experience.. will undoubtedly serve the society in many meaningful ways.. The end of his formal judicial duties does not mark the end of his engagement with law, learning and public life.” Justice Soumen Sen added. Attorney General Gopalakrishna Kurup, in his address, described Justice Nagaresh as “a judge profoundly learned in law, endowed with a keen and incisive intellect,” noting his remarkable ability to grasp complex legal principles with clarity and precision. He also highlighted the judge's unfailing courtesy, humility, and affable demeanor, which ensured that courtroom proceedings remained both effective and respectful.Gopalakrishna Kurup also underscored his engagement beyond the courtroom, including his work as a...

'Kerala High Court Has Formidable Women Lawyers, Gave First Woman Supreme Court Judge': Justice N Nagaresh In Farewell Address

Anamika MJ

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