Home  > Recent Judgements  > WIDEN LAW, MAKE IT MORE INTELLIGIBLE”: CJI’S CALL TO YOUNG LAWYERS AT NLU JODHPUR CONVOCATION

Feb 23 – 2026

“WIDEN LAW, MAKE IT MORE INTELLIGIBLE”: CJI’S CALL TO YOUNG LAWYERS AT NLU JODHPUR CONVOCATION

At the Eighteenth Convocation Ceremony of National Law University, Jodhpur held on February 21, 2026, the Chief Justice of India delivered a powerful address urging young law graduates to ensure that the legal system remains accessible, intelligible, and rooted in public trust.

In his convocation speech titled “From Fortress to Forum – Law in an Unfinished Republic”, the Chief Justice emphasized that law must not become an exclusive domain guarded by complexity and jargon. Instead, it must evolve as a democratic forum that welcomes participation and understanding from all citizens.

Law Must Not Drift into Complexity and Exclusion

The Chief Justice cautioned that in every generation, there is a danger that lawhaving once liberated societymay begin to distance itself again. He observed:

“In every generation, there is a risk that the law, having once liberated, may begin to distance itself again wrapped in complexity, guarded by jargon, accessible only to those who can afford its language.”

He reminded graduating students that their responsibility is not to make law more arcane but more intelligible. According to him, lawyers must work towards widening the reach of law and ensuring that it remains understandable to ordinary citizens.

This statement resonates strongly in a country like India, where access to justice remains a pressing concern. The Chief Justice’s message places the responsibility squarely on the next generation of legal professionals to resist elitism within the legal system.

Law as an Evolving Institution

Quoting American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the Chief Justice underscored that:

“The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.”

He highlighted that law is not a finished edifice but an evolving framework shaped by social realities. Students were urged to avoid the illusion that the law they studied in classrooms is static or complete.

The Constitution, he said, was envisioned as a living document capable of growth. Its guaranteessuch as personal liberty, privacy, and substantive equalityhave been interpreted over time in light of contemporary needs and challenges.

This reflects the constitutional philosophy that the legal system must adapt alongside society, ensuring that justice remains meaningful in changing times.

From “Fortress” to “Forum”: A Powerful Metaphor

Drawing inspiration from Mehrangarh Fort overlooking Jodhpur, the Chief Justice used a compelling metaphor to describe the evolution of law.

Historically, law functioned like a “fortress”designed to protect society from arbitrariness and disorder. However, in a constitutional democracy, law must function as a “forum,” where differences are debated and authority is held accountable.

He stated:

“A fortress may endure by closing itself off, but a forum endures by opening itself up.”

This metaphor captures the essence of democratic constitutionalismlaw must facilitate dialogue, inclusion, and participation rather than isolation and exclusion.

Legal Practice as a Public Trust

The Chief Justice emphasized that the legal profession is not merely a career but a public trust.

“The law is not private capital to be leveraged for personal gain. It is a public trust. The credibility of our Courts depends as much on the Bar as on the Bench.”

He cautioned against prioritizing spectacle over substance and complexity over clarity. Such tendencies, he warned, could recreate the “fortress mentality” that democracy seeks to dismantle.

This serves as a reminder that ethical responsibility, integrity, and clarity are fundamental to preserving the legitimacy of judicial institutions.

Excellence Without Exclusion

Praising NLU Jodhpur as one of India’s premier law schools, the Chief Justice noted that institutions of excellence must ensure they do not become spaces of exclusion.

“When a law school of this standing sends its graduates into the world, it does not merely export talent; it exports standards.”

This observation underscores the broader societal role of legal educationnot just in producing skilled professionals, but in shaping values, standards, and democratic commitments.

Key Takeaways from the Address

  1. Law must remain accessible and understandable.
  2. Young lawyers must resist elitism and unnecessary complexity.
  3. The Constitution is a living framework that evolves with society.
  4. Law must function as a democratic forum, not a closed fortress.
  5. Legal practice is a public trust grounded in responsibility and ethics.

Conclusion

The Chief Justice’s address at NLU Jodhpur serves as a significant reminder of the foundational ideals of constitutional democracy. In urging graduates to “widen the forum” and make law more intelligible, he has placed a moral and professional obligation on the next generation of lawyers.

As India continues to evolve socially, economically, and technologically, the legal system must remain responsive and accessible. The future of justice lies not in complexity, but in clarity; not in exclusion, but in inclusion.

By calling upon young lawyers to become “architects of an open forum,” the Chief Justice has articulated a vision of law that is democratic, dynamic, and deeply rooted in public service.