Justice BR Gavai Chairs Workshop Held By Supreme Court Legal Services Committee For Panel Lawyers

The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) held a workshop for panel lawyers focusing on digitalization in legal aid and enhancing the quality of legal aid. This workshop was chaired by Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Chairman, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.

Highlighting the workshop's purpose, Justice Gavai, Executive Chairman, SCLSC stated that the primary purpose of the workshop is to identify the legal aid issues and to find means to address them at the earliest. He emphasised that shortly a mechanism will be established where one can give feedback and share about the working of the committee. He highlighted that the Advocates on Record of the SCLSC are the pillars of strength and its voice. He highlighted the importance of providing platforms of interaction between the legal aid counsels and the jail inmates through a Video Conferencing facility, as the undertrials also have a right to interact with their counsels. Justice Gavai also delved upon the concept of Nyaya and Niti with special reference to the work of Sh. Amartya Sen.

The workshop sessions, aimed at lawyers associated with the SCLSC, focused on making them proficient in the Committee's digital initiatives and discussing the broader framework of quality legal aid.

Justice Gavai highlighted the principles enshrined in the Indian constitution referring to the quote of Justice Vivian Bose, "The Constitution is not for the exclusive benefit of governments and states... it also exists for the common man, for the poor and the humble... for the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker."

The event served as a platform for panel lawyers of SCLSC to understand and integrate digital tools into their practice enhancing the efficiency and reach of legal services. Senior Advocate Vibha Datta Makhija gave the welcome address and narrated the historic evolution of SCLSC. The working Session on overview of digital initiatives was conducted by Mr Yajuvender Singh, Secretary, SCLSC and the working session on Quality of Legal aid was carried out by Ms. Kiran Suri, Senior Advocate. The workshop saw the participation of Advocates on Record. This workshop marks a pivotal step in the SCLSC's efforts to modernize legal aid services, ensuring that they remain robust, responsive, and respectful of the community's needs.