CJI Surya Kant Advises New Advocates-on-Record on Professional Credibility
Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, addressed the newly inducted Advocates-on-Record (AoRs) on Wednesday, offering guidance on the importance of credibility over social media popularity. Speaking at a ceremony organized by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, CJI Kant emphasized that genuine respect in the legal field is earned through diligence and courtroom competence rather than through online platforms.
“It has become quite easy to gain visibility through social media, but let me remind you, my dear friends, that such visibility is not synonymous with credibility,” stated the Chief Justice. He advised young lawyers to resist the temptation of measuring their success based on online popularity, likening it to the pursuit of television ratings. “The respect that truly matters is the respect you earn inside the courtroom and from your colleagues, clients, and the Bar,” he added.
Further addressing the 2025 batch of AoRs, where Justices KV Viswanathan and Vipul M Pancholi were also present, CJI Kant advised against hastily establishing law firms or focusing too much on expanding practices prematurely. He advised them to first establish themselves as competent lawyers. “Titles may open doors, but they do not build a career. Quality of work builds a career,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of earning professional respect through diligent work and preparation.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the pivotal role of drafting in legal practice, describing it as the “soul of the profession.” He urged the new AoRs to approach each petition as a compelling narrative to engage judges effectively. Recounting his early days at the Bar, Justice Kant shared how his drafting skills laid the foundation for his practice, making him a sought-after drafter for complex cases.
He expressed caution against over-reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) tools for legal drafting, stressing that while AI can aid research, it should not replace a lawyer’s judgment. “My suggestion is that artificial intelligence should only serve as a secondary assistant in your practice. It should not substitute your own intellectual assessment in case drafting,” he cautioned.
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Emphasizing the human aspect of legal practice, he reminded the new AoRs that clients hire lawyers for their understanding of the facts and emotions intrinsic to disputes. “Never forget, when a client engages you, they engage you as a human being, not as a machine,” he added.
Justice Kant also highlighted the social responsibility carried by the AoRs, urging them to ensure that poor and marginalized litigants receive representation. He encouraged the AoRs to take on legal aid cases, suggesting that handling even one such case with sincerity could significantly impact an entire family’s life.
