Chennai: The presence of more than 4,000 practising women lawyers in Madras high court reflects social diversity, said Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, who attained superannuation on Thursday. “Their remarkable presence reflects progress and transformation of the profession. Their contribution to constitutional, civil, criminal, commercial and service law jurisdiction is immense, and their diligence, clarity, and commitment are commendable,” he said. In his farewell acceptance speech, the chief justice appreciated women lawyers associations in Chennai and Madurai for encouraging more women to enter and excel in the legal field. As for the profession, he told the youngsters: “It is no sprint, but a marathon, and hard work is the mother of success.”Noting that challenges in the judicial system could be addressed only by a collective resolve, Chief Justice Shrivastava said: “Filling the vacancies, enhancing the infrastructure, embracing tech, and encouraging alternative dispute redressal mechanisms are essential steps to address the challenges. Digital systems like e-filing and virtual hearings enhanced accessibility, but my endeavour is that tech should be inclusive and accessible to all.“Earlier, advocate-general P S Raman, in his farewell address, lauded Chief Justice Shrivastava for his treatment of public interest litigations, “for choosing merit cases and dismissing others with costs, thereby ensuring that only people with just cause invoke the jurisdiction.” He pointed out that the Chief Justice settled a three-decade-old land dispute case and restored ownership to the original claimants.
