Dr. Justice D Y Chandrachud
Chief Justice Of India

Message

I am delighted to pen this message to congratulate the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad for the launch of the upgraded e- Law Report, enhanced along the lines of the Supreme Court Digital SCR. It brings me immense joy to see our efforts at the Supreme Court being institutionalized across the country. The fact that a High Court, with which I share a special bond, is making significant strides fills me with even greater happiness.

Legal research has undergone a transformative evolution. Gone are the days of scouring through rows of dusty law manuals, with students, researchers, and lawyers searching tirelessly for relevant case law. The use of virtual platforms, such as the e- Law Report has revolutionized legal research, enabling efficient identification of cases on relevant legal principles. Such facilities must remain free, ensuring equal access for all members of the legal fraternity.

Ensuring that access to our judgments and orders is free not only benefits members of the fraternity but also brings our institutions closer to ordinary citizens. Judgments of our courts are no longer the preserve of those with legal training and are now easily accessible to a broader audience - litigants, members of the government, journalists, and members of civil society. As the judgments of our constitutional courts enter the discourse of common citizens, the values embedded in our Constitution will also be injected into their daily lives.

In this way, initiatives like the e-Law Report serve a profound purpose beyond mere technological upgrades. By making judgments readily accessible, they facilitate a deeper understanding of our constitutional values among citizens. After all, “the Constitution has within it the ability to produce a social catharsis” [Navtej Johar v. Union of India (2018) 10 SCC 1]. By bringing the Constitution closer to the people, we edge closer to realizing this potential for social catharsis, paving the way for a more just, aware, and vibrant society.

Once again, I extend my warmest congratulations! I eagerly anticipate future innovations and progress in the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, which can serve as a model for courts across the country.

Dr. Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud

Dear Brother Justice Ajit Kumar,

The High Court of Judicature at Allahabad has rendered a great service to the litigants and the members of the Bar by launching the ‘e-Law Report’ of the High Court. Now, you propose to upgrade it to digital law reports. The upgrade will significantly enhance its utility.

The object of suggesting to all the High Courts to start their e-Law Reports, is to ensure that the junior members of the Bar have the benefit of a law journal of the High Court judgments free of cost. Junior members of the Bar cannot afford to subscribe to available e-Law Reports. Moreover, e-Law Reports are helpful for law students as well.

E- Law Report of the High Courts should have a proper search facility. The endeavour should be to report original English judgments and its translated version in regional languages. The translated versions of the judgments will be immensely helpful to young lawyers practising at the taluka level.

I compliment you and your colleagues, who are members of the AI Assisted Legal Translation Advisory & e- Law Report Committee of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, for this excellent initiative.

I wish a great success to the project.