HTLS 2025: CJI Surya Kant wants to explore mediation as dispute resolution mechanism, sends ‘a clear message that…’

Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025: Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant spoke at 23rd edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) on Saturday, December 6. The CJI said, "I just want to send a very clear and strong message that the Supreme Court is also meant for the common man.”

CJI Surya Kant also shed light on “structural vulnerability” in the judiciary and said “litigation is a long way process.” He said his aim is to prioritise certain litigation and “explore mediation” as a game changer.

“I really need to explore mediation as one of the powerful game changers.” And as you know that for the last almost one year, and particularly thelast six months, I have launched that 'Mediation for the Nation Mission'," CJI Surya Kant said.

Why CJI Surya Kant backs 'mediation'

The Chief Justice of India said on Saturday that ‘mediation’ is cost-effective. “Mediation, as compared to other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, is is very, very cost-effective,” he said.

CJI Surya Kant said mediation process does not require a dedicated class of advocates. “It takes less time and every stakeholder, every person from different walks of life can work as a mediator,” he said, adding that, “There are retired people who are working as mediators.”

The CJI added, “This second landmark in it is that mediation creates a win-win situation for both parties.” He said, “This is one really rare tool of adjudication where both parties leave the courtroom or the mediation centre with a smiling face.”

The other aspect of 'mediation," the CJI said, is that “it brings social harmony. It keeps in text the social fabric, and it speaks in the common man's language, that's the most important thing.”

CJI Surya Kant, however, noted that mediation will be successful only when the mediators start speaking the language of the consumer of justice for whom the mediation process they may intend to initiate.

He said, “Our objective is to reach out there and provide an alternative platform to them.”

'My first priority is to ensure...'

Talking about chalCJI Surya Kant said when it comes to "access to justice", his first priority is to ensure how to reduce the cost of litigation and how to prescribe a reasonable timeline within which the matters are decided."

To achieve these objectives, the CJI suggested, "...We have expanded the platform of free legal aid. All those marginalised, the vulnerable classes or those living below the poverty line or those who, in any case, within the criteria prescribed under the statute, if they qualify for free legal aid, we have launched a massive program throughout the country to provide quality legal assistance.

"So, it is not that the lawyers who don't have work or those who are not treated to be so competent will be only empanelled. We have really moved out far ahead and all those competent lawyers who really have a name in the profession at the local level, even they are also being engaged and a respectable honorarium is being paid to them to ensure quality legal assistance to the persons who need it," CJI Surya Kant said.

He said that as far as the "timeline and predictability" is concerned, for that, the "district judiciary need to be sensitised and for that, as I said earlier, we intend to launch certain programs through the judicial Academy platforms or through the high court platforms to ensure that the every member of the Indian judiciary is committed and has some management of their own court to ensure that there is a timely justice."

'I'm a very optimistic person'

When asked what gives him optimism about India's legal and democratic future, CJI Surya Kant said, “Well, I'm a very optimistic person, and I'm absolutely confident that the Indian democracy and the Indian justice delivery system, both have a very bright future.”

He cited three reasons for believing so.

He said, "The reason is very obvious. First, Indian people have an absolute commitment to the constitutional principles. Second, Indian people have their commitment to the rule of law. Third, Indian people have a commitment to democracy."

'Why I'm very optimistic about Indian judiciary'

CJI Surya Kant said, “…Why I'm very optimistic about Indian judiciary is when I see the youth of this nation — the wealth of knowledge they possess, their informed knowledge about what is happening in different parts of the globe, their quickness in response, their brightness in developing innovative judicial jurisprudence — I think, I'm absolutely confident of their capacity to face different kind of challenges that ensure that that Indian judiciary in future is in very safe hand.”