CJI Surya Kant Calls for a Modern, Adaptive Justice Delivery System

When Chief Justice Surya Kant sat down for an interview last week, he didn’t mince words. He argued that the Indian justice delivery system is at a crossroads and must change – not just a little tweak here or there, but a genuine evolution that matches how litigation is shifting in the digital age.

He pointed out that today’s disputes are far more complex, often involving tech‑driven evidence, cross‑border elements and a sheer volume that the old, paper‑heavy processes can’t swallow. “If we keep doing things the way we did two decades ago, we’ll keep drowning in backlog,” he warned, a comment that resonated with lawyers and judges alike.

One of the chief recommendations, according to the CJI, is a bold push toward technology. From expanding the e‑courts network to embracing video‑conferencing for routine hearings, the aim is to shave weeks, sometimes months, off a case’s life‑cycle. He also hinted at a future where artificial intelligence could help with basic case‑sorting, flagging precedents and even drafting simple orders – not to replace judges, but to free them for the nuanced work only a human can do.

But tech alone won’t do the trick. Surya Kant underscored the need for a stronger infrastructure at the district and subordinate levels. More courts, more judges, better training – all of these, he said, are “non‑negotiable” if the system hopes to keep pace with the growing caseload.

Another piece of the puzzle, he noted, is alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Mediation, arbitration and conciliation can settle many disputes long before they reach a bench, easing the pressure on the formal system. The CJI urged state governments and bar councils to promote ADR centres, making them accessible even in remote corners.

He also highlighted the importance of data‑driven management. By tracking pendency trends, court administrators can pinpoint bottlenecks and allocate resources more intelligently. In his words, “Numbers should guide us, not anecdotes.”

Finally, the Chief Justice called for a cultural shift – a move away from the perception that justice is a slow, unchanging monolith. He urged all stakeholders – from senior advocates to law students – to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement, openness to change and, above all, a genuine commitment to delivering justice swiftly and fairly.

In short, Surya Kant’s message was clear: the justice delivery system must evolve, or risk becoming irrelevant in a world that demands speed, transparency and efficiency.