Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 27: Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Friday expressed concern over the legal profession’s preparedness to deal with rapidly evolving cyber crimes, stating that traditional legal education is no longer sufficient to meet contemporary challenges.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Bar Council of India’s National Conference and Symposium on Mediation at the India International University of Legal Education and Research in South Goa, the CJI suggested setting up a National Legal Academy for advocates on the lines of the National Judicial Academy for judges.

Justice Kant said while technology has aided legal professionals, it has also given rise to new and complex forms of crime. He pointed out that cyber frauds such as “digital arrest” pose serious challenges and questioned whether advocates are adequately equipped to advise and represent victims.

He stressed that lawyers today play multiple roles as representatives, advisors and even informal mediators, which demands deeper and structured training. Short-term programmes, he said, are inadequate to address technology-driven disputes and emerging cyber threats.

Calling for a long-term vision, Justice Kant urged Bar Councils to evolve an institutional framework for rigorous professional training involving domain experts and technocrats. He added that such initiatives would also help Indian lawyers compete effectively on global legal platforms.

The CJI, on his maiden visit to Goa after assuming office, also inaugurated a 30-day special awareness campaign against drug abuse at the High Court complex in Porvorim. Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari, Justice Mahesh Sonak and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant were among those present.