Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Friday delivered a striking critique of the Indian legal profession while addressing the 22nd Convocation of NALSAR University of Law.
In his speech, the Chief Justice raised concerns over structural inequality in the legal field, emotional burnout among lawyers and the growing tendency among law graduates to seek validation through expensive foreign degrees.
In an acknowledgment of the mental stress that is a feature of the profession, Justice Gavai described law as emotionally demanding and, at times, isolating.
“The hours are long. The expectations, high. The culture, sometimes ruthless. You will feel pressure not just to succeed, but to appear successful.”
He urged young lawyers not to hide their struggles. Citing the words of Audre Lorde, he added,
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
Drawing from a 2023 study titled The Making of Lawyers’ Careers: Inequality and Opportunity in the American Legal Profession, Justice Gavai observed,
“Where lawyers begin in practice is significantly influenced by law school attended. And where lawyers begin their careers heavily shapes their later career paths.”
He noted that the same trend is visible in India.
“A student from a National Law School in a metro city may be seen as ‘better placed’ than one from a smaller university, not necessarily because of skill, but because of perception,” he said.
Calling for introspection within the legal community, he stated,
“Structural inequality hides in silence. In the subtle comments. In the internship that never comes. In the doors that are hard to open.”
He also addressed the widespread pressure among young Indian lawyers to pursue a Master’s degree abroad, describing it as a symbol of external validation rather than a carefully thought-out academic pursuit.
“Do not put yourself or your family under the burden of loans amounting to 50–70 lakhs just for a foreign degree. A foreign degree alone is not a stamp of your worth...Don’t take this decision in a reflex of thought or under peer pressure.”
Suggesting an alternative, Justice Gavai said,
“A small portion of it can be used as an investment to start your independent practice or build a chamber. And later, when you are stable, go abroad for studies. There is no age bar to learn. Go abroad not to escape, but to expand.”
He linked the trend of going abroad to a deeper issue of declining confidence in India’s own postgraduate legal research infrastructure.
“We must ask: Why do so many feel they have to cross oceans to find intellectual stimulation, academic mentorship, or a meaningful platform for their research?”
While acknowledging the value of global exposure, he pointed out the absence of clear academic pathways and merit-based hiring back home.
“When they return, they often find our institutions unwelcoming, under-resourced, or closed to new ideas.”
Justice Gavai also stressed on the importance of legal fundamentals as the bedrock of a sound professional life.
“There is no shortcut to knowing the law. There is no alternative to knowing the basics well. The Constitution, the Contract Act, the Code of Civil Procedure, the criminal law, and other core subjects are not optional subjects. They are your daily bread.”
Speaking on the importance of mentorship in the legal profession, he said,
"Let me say this with honesty: I am here today not just because I worked hard. Yes, effort mattered. But so did the fact that someone opened a door for me. Someone saw something in me before I could see it in myself. That act of belief, of support, of sharing wisdom changed my life."
He urged all senior lawyers and judges at the event to make an effort to mentor young lawyers.
He ended his speech by urging the fresh graduates to listen to their inner selves.
"So, it’s okay to take a pause in life, sometimes. It’s okay to be uncertain. You don’t always have to prove yourself. Sometimes, just being is enough."
[Read the full speech here]