During his visit to Harvard Law School, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud, accompanied by David Wilkins, a Professor at Harvard Law School and Faculty Director, took the opportunity to shed light on several significant initiatives spearheaded by the Supreme Court during his inaugural year as Chief Justice. These pioneering initiatives encompassed the integration of technology into court proceedings, the release of a handbook aimed at addressing and combatting gender stereotypes, and more. Notably, he underscored the profound interconnection between interdisciplinary studies, emphasizing that matters pertaining to medical science and technology are inherently intertwined with the legal framework.
When it came to the subject of legal aid clinics, CJI Chandrachud wholeheartedly encouraged law students to actively partake in clinical legal models, thereby enabling them to immerse themselves in real-world cases within local communities. His commitment to democratizing the legal profession was evident through the introduction of a fresh law clerks’ scheme during his tenure, guaranteeing equal access for all individuals to apply for a clerkship at the Supreme Court. Furthermore, he expressed his genuine concerns about the mental well-being of lawyers and advocated for the incorporation of mechanisms in law schools to train students in effectively managing stress and safeguarding their mental health.
CJI Chandrachud, who himself holds an LLM degree and a Doctorate in Juridical Sciences (SJD) from Harvard Law School, actively engaged in discussions with students and faculty members across a diverse spectrum of departments during his visit. This felicitation coincided with Harvard Law School’s observance of the 100th anniversary of its Graduate Law Program.
Notably, earlier this year, the Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession (HLS CLP) officially recognized the Chief Justice of India Dr DY Chandrachud as the distinguished recipient of the prestigious “Award for Global Leadership” for the year 2022.
