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Justice Sanjay Karol Emphasizes Courtroom Learning Over College Book Study
At a poignant farewell ceremony hosted by the Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday, outgoing Justice Sanjay Karol delivered a rousing address that resonated deeply with advocates, judges, and legal professionals present. With characteristic candour and humility, Justice Karol underscored a fundamental truth often overlooked in legal education: the real crucible of legal learning is not the library or the lecture hall but the courtroom itself. His remarks served as both a parting gift and a clarion call for the profession to return to its core—the lived practice of law before the Bench.
The Bar as the Eternal Custodian of Justice
Justice Karol began by paying homage to the legal profession, describing the Bar as the “custodian of the justice delivery system.” He reminded the gathering that judges come and go, but the Bar remains a permanent pillar of the judiciary. “The stronger the Bar, the stronger the Bench,” he declared, encapsulating a symbiotic relationship that he said must be nurtured with mutual respect and shared responsibility. His words were not merely ceremonial; they echoed a deeply held conviction about institutional continuity and the collective duty of lawyers to uphold the integrity of the courts.
Courtroom Experience: The True School of Law
Addressing the younger members of the Bar, Justice Karol offered perhaps the most memorable insight of the day. “No matter how much you read , in college, you will never know how to apply the law. You will never know how to interpret the law,” he said. The statement drew nods and murmurs of agreement from senior advocates who had themselves learned the art of lawyering in the rough-and-tumble of daily court proceedings. Justice Karol urged young lawyers to attend court regularly, seize every opportunity no matter how small, and remain courteous to both senior colleagues and the Bench. “Your real grooming will be there,” he emphasised, pointing to the chambers and corridors of the as the ultimate classroom.
He further revealed that he had always considered it his —not a favour—to appoint young lawyers as . He said, “I did not oblige you by appointing amicus. No. It was my .” This practice, he explained, was part of a broader obligation to nurture the Bar and provide opportunities for fledgling advocates to find their voice. Justice Karol acknowledged the anxiety that often paralyses young lawyers at the start of their careers: “The biggest obstacle in the life of a young member of the Bar is to stand on their legs and open up their mouth. That's the biggest hurdle. We have all undergone that process.”
A Nod to the Legacy of
To illustrate the indispensable role of a fearless Bar, Justice Karol recalled an incident involving legendary senior advocate . A judge had once “almost ridiculed” a party appearing in person. Without hesitation, Nariman stood up and told the judge that he was wrong and that he would never again enter that courtroom. The anecdote served as a powerful reminder that the Bar’s courage and independence are the bedrock of judicial accountability. Justice Karol’s narration drew spontaneous applause, as many in the audience recognised the towering example of professional integrity.
: A Judicial Compass
Justice Karol also shared the personal formula that guided his judicial approach: “.” He explained that justice is inherently relative and cannot be rigidly defined. However, he adopted this principle to ensure that every decision, whether right or wrong by strict legal standards, aimed at delivering substantive fairness. He stressed that judges must always remember the human being behind the brief—a common person with hopes, fears, and the expectation of being heard. “Behind the brief is a common man. A man who has great hopes from this institution, because this is the last and the final court where he can get his voice heard,” he said.
Living Through Empathy
In a deeply reflective vein, Justice Karol spoke about his understanding of . He drew a distinction between a “living” Constitution and the need to “live .” He urged judges to travel, observe, and understand the conditions of ordinary people to truly breathe life into constitutional values. “You have to feel the pain, the agony, the sorrow of people,” he insisted, calling for empathy to permeate judicial reasoning. This call for emotional intelligence in judging resonated strongly in an era where courts are increasingly expected to respond to social realities.
Mediation and Institutional Innovation
Justice Karol also touched upon , announcing his willingness to undergo mediation training himself. He revealed that he had requested judges be trained as mediators and declared that he would be the first to participate in such a programme on . He praised Justice PS Narasimha for his work on the Samadhan Samaroh initiative, which seeks to promote mediation and settlement. Justice Karol observed that when a litigant is allowed to speak in their own language, they realise for the first time that they have been “seen” and “heard.” He added, “A lot of unlearning is required to be done. And I have practiced it in court. You just lend voice, lend your ears, to that litigant who comes to the court.”
A Symphony of Bar and Bench
Describing the relationship between the Bar and Bench as “a symphony,” Justice Karol emphasised that both sides are stakeholders in the justice delivery system. He urged judges and lawyers to remember their collective responsibility toward the as an institution. Pointing to the photographs of former Chief Justices that line the corridors, he said, “Every moment of ours has to be such that whether inside court or outside court while we are in office or when we are out of office, should be such that it brings majesty and dignity to this institution which is the of India.”
Gratitude and Humility
In closing, Justice Karol thanked the Chief Justice of India, his judicial colleagues, members of the Bar, Registry officials, court staff, law clerks, and his family for their support. With characteristic humility, he sought forgiveness for any “excesses” he may have committed, knowingly or unknowingly. He expressed a deep sense of contentment and no regrets after serving three-and-a-half years on the Bench.
Implications for the Legal Community
Justice Karol’s farewell speech carries significant lessons for the legal profession. For young lawyers, it underscores the irreplaceable value of courtroom apprenticeship over theoretical learning. For senior members of the Bar, it is a call to mentorship and to safeguard the independence of the profession. For judges, the speech reaffirms that the judiciary’s strength flows from a robust Bar and that empathy, humility, and openness to innovation are essential judicial qualities. As the legal community grapples with challenges such as case backlogs, procedural rigidity, and access to justice, Justice Karol’s vision of a collaborative, empathetic, and educationally grounded judiciary offers a timely and inspiring roadmap.
