New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said that judicial leadership does not suffer because judges are imperfect, but it is adversely impacted when judges pretend that they are not imperfect.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 11th biennial meeting of the Commonwealth Judicial Educators (CJEs), Justice Surya Kant called for a fundamental rethink in how judicial leadership is understood and cultivated. He also proposed the creation of a “Commonwealth Apex Body” to better integrate judicial education, the Bar and the Bench across member nations.

‘Finished products’

Speaking on the theme ‘Educating for Judicial Leadership’, the Chief Justice said it was “timely”, noting that for too long judges had been viewed as “finished products” — complete and perfected upon appointment.

“In my opinion, while that view flatters the institution, it does not serve it,” he said. “Judicial leadership does not suffer because judges are imperfect; it suffers when we pretend they are not.”

Justice Surya Kant stressed that judges, like the institutions they lead, are capable of growth, correction and improvement. He said the role of a judge requires not only “mastery of precedent” but also the agility to interpret the law in ways that deliver justice in changing times.

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“Across history, the most respected judicial leaders did not project flawlessness or perfection,” he said. “They remained conscious of the limits of their own knowledge, alert to the possibility of error, and open to learning.”

He described humility not merely as a personal virtue, but as a “professional safeguard” that should be taught to every judicial officer without exception.

Referring to the role of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, the Chief Justice praised it as a vital platform for fostering mutual learning across jurisdictions. He said the institute helps judges move beyond being mere interpreters of law to becoming “wise custodians of justice”, capable of navigating complex moral and technical challenges in a rapidly evolving world.

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“Law is a living, breathing entity that evolves with the world around it,” he said, adding that the judiciary’s understanding is tested as societies change and new challenges arise.

Justice Surya Kant emphasised that when judges learn from one another across borders, their decisions are enriched not only by legal precedent but also by the collective wisdom of the global judiciary.

“Mutual learning is the lifeblood of judicial growth,” he said, commending the CJEI for encouraging peer engagement while respecting the distinct legal contexts of member nations.