National Legal Services Authority: On 27-07-2025 in Srinagar, the National Legal Services Authority (‘NALSA’), in collaboration with the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (‘J&K HC’) and the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority, organised the North Zone Regional Conference on “In Conversation with the Bar — A Shared Vision for Legal Transformation”. The event was attended by various legal luminaries, such as, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, Justice Surya Kant, Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, Supreme Court Judges, and Chief Justice along with Senior Judges of J&K HC.
While presiding over the conference, CJI Gavai emphasised the constitutional mandate of ensuring last-mile access to justice, especially for marginalised and underprivileged communities. He underscored the pivotal role of NALSA in delivering legal aid, and stated,
“NALSA, under the leadership of Justice Surya Kant and in future Justice Vikram Nath, will continue to pave the way for a stronger, more inclusive justice delivery system. Women empowerment remains a cornerstone of this vision.”
Adding to the discussion, Justice Surya Kant highlighted the transformative role of the legal fraternity in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, with a special focus on the growing presence of women in the legal profession. He remarked,
“The future of the justice delivery system in this region will largely be led by women members of the legal fraternity—whether on the bench or the Bar.”
Several other legal dignitaries lauded the Bar for its commitment to the rule of law in their special addresses, such as Supreme Court Judges Justice Vikram Nath, Justice P.S. Narasimha, Justice Rajesh Bindal, and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh.
While Justice Kotiswar Singh stressed on the need for a dedicated High Court Bench for Ladakh and enhanced chambers for women advocates, Justice Rajesh Bindal urged strengthening of technology infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Furthermore, Justice P.S. Narasimha, in his address, reiterated that “the Bar and Bench are two wheels of the same chariot” and praised the adaptability and creativity of the legal fraternity.
Chief Justice Arun Palli of the J&K High Court highlighted that young lawyers in the region demonstrated clarity of thought and a strong command over law, while senior advocates continued to set high benchmarks for professionalism.
Lastly, in his concluding remarks, CJI Gavai called for unity and national integration.
