Analysis
Launch Event | Supreme Court at 75: The Journey So Far
A commemorative book of essays was launched at the 2nd International Rule of Law Conference hosted by the Bar Association of India
Over 30 and 31 August, the Bar Association of India (BAI) hosted the 2nd New Delhi International Rule of Law Convention 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The event brought together jurists, scholars and leaders of the bar from over 33 jurisdictions to deliberate on contemporary issues concerning law, justice, and governance. The theme of the convention was “Global Economic Governance and Principles of the Rule of Law.”
On this occasion, a commemorative volume, produced in collaboration with the SCO, titled “The Indian Advocate: Supreme Court at 75 – The Journey So Far”, was released. The volume contains 32 essays by judges, academics and practitioners, including Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Justice (Retd.) Dipak Misra and Prof. Upendra Baxi.
At the event, Vice President of the BAI and the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Anindita Pujari, acknowledged the contributions of the Judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices of High Courts, and the authors. She also thanked the Editorial Board of the Bar Association of India, including its Chairman, Mr. Prashant Kumar and Associate Editor Mr. Shaileshwar Yadav, the Supreme Court Observer and Mohan Law House, for their efforts.
The Conference included a plenary session and five working sessions.
The Plenary Session was chaired by Justice Kotiswar Singh. It considered topics including the Indian tradition of the rule of law, cross-border terrorism, Asia–Africa legal cooperation, and principles of international economic justice. The session saw keynote speeches from Mr. Nitin Thakker, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, H.E. Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary General, Asia Africa Legal Consultative Organization, Mr. Andre Haug, Vice President, German Federal Bar and Mr. Prashant Kumar, President, The Bar Association of India.
Working Session I was chaired by Mr. C.S. Vaidyanathan. It discussed Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and the impact of over-compliance on financial inclusion in the Global South. In the session speakers were Mr. Prashant Kumar, President, The Bar Association of India, Ms. Lisa Sam Hui Min, President, Law Society of Singapore, Mr. Roden M.L. Tong, President, Law Society of Hong Kong, Ms. Kateryna Boguslavska, Project Manger Basel AML Index, Basel Institute of Governance, Switzerland and Mr. Divino Sabino, President, the Bar Association of Seychelles.
Working Session II was chaired by Justice Subramonium Prasad, examined digital governance and the rule of law, focusing on the opportunities of e-governance and challenges relating to privacy, surveillance, and cybersecurity. The session saw contributions from Mr. S.S. Naganand, Vice President, The Bar Association, Mr. Roger Chin, Former President, Sabah Law Society, Ms. Vanessa Bousardo, Vice President, Paris Bar Association, Ms. Gaythri Raman, Managing Director, India & SEA, LexisNexis and Mr. Amarjit Singh Bedi, Hony. General Secretary, The Bar Association.
Working Session III was chaired by Justice Manish Pitale. The session addressed the sovereign debt crisis and its social and legal implications, particularly in the Global South. Speakers in the session were Mr. Jaideep Gupta, Vice President, The Bar Association of India, Mr. Steven Thiru, President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Dr. Mohamed Hassanein, Member, Egypt Bar and Vice President, PALU, Mr. Hiran M.C. de Alwis, Chairman, Board of Governors, Sri Lanka National Arbitration Centre and Dr. Manoj Panda, Full-time Member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
Working Session IV, chaired by Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee, dealt with commercial dispute resolution and the need for developing countries to enhance institutional capacity to participate in global mechanisms. The session saw contribution from Mr. Yakesh Anand, Vice President, The Bar Association of India, Mr. Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, President-Elect, The Bar Association of India, Ms. Cha Mi Vu, Head of the Department for International Development, Association of Lawyers of Russia, Mr. Bruno Barata Magalhaes, Vice President, Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association and Mr. Bijaya Prasad Mishra, President, Nepal Bar Association.
Working Session V, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, examined climate justice and finance, considering equity and fairness as central principles in global policy and financing arrangements. The session saw contribution from Mr. Shyam Divan, President, LAWASIA & Vice President, The Bar Association of India, Dr. Jorg Menzer, Vice President, International Bar Association (IBA), Mrs. Cherine Luzaisu Lusienge, President, Bar Association of Kongo Central, DRC and Mr. Adil Fakhir, Board Member, Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal.
The conference was attended by several leading legal communities and bar associations. This included the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), LAWASIA, which represents lawyers across the Asia-Pacific region and the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA), one of the world’s oldest global legal networks. It concluded after two days.