The Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) of the Delhi High Court, Justice Vipin Sanghi, on Friday said the courts now comprise of many talented and competent woman lawyers who practise law, so now it is not at all difficult to pick women lawyers for elevation as judges
Justice Sanghi was attending a high tea hosted by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum when he said that the words of Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana should be put to action when he strongly advocates for more women on the Bench.
Justice Sanghi recollected his own time when his sister was not encouraged by anyone other than the family after joining the legal profession. He said that during those days not many women were part of the legal fraternity and it was never encouraged.
He went on to recall that when his sister joined as a lawyer, she had to rely on the encouragement of her family.
Justcie Sanghi gladly accepted that the situations have drastically improved in respect to prejudices that women don’t seriously look forward to legal world.The thought process about women practising law part time has totally been changed and people now know women can steer in the path as full time serious career .
Talking about lawyers, Justice Sanghi said, “We’ve had some remarkable women lawyers and the impression that one used to carry that women lawyers are not full-time has been broken.”
Delhi High Court judge Justice Rekha Palli also spoke about the changes that have taken place in the legal environment which have made it easier for the women to balance their practice and family commitments,and this is a welcome move.
Justice Pillai recollected her own time and said, “I will say when I joined the profession, I took a break when I had children. Now you girls don’t have to do it! People and courts are understanding.”
She also urged women to multi-task “Women have to multitask! Please remember. I had many girls in my chamber. I always encouraged them to get married, you just have to multitask.”
Justice Sanghi and Justice Pillai praised the initiative taken by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum in terms of providing a network for female legal professionals.
Justice Pillai added, “The best part of this forum is what we missed when we were younger. There was no network.”
Justice Sanghi told the women in the forum to not only continue the great work but also upload the same on YouTube so that more women can be a part of this and get encouraged.
The welcome speech was delivered by Senior Advocate Suruchi Aggarwal while Advocate Mrinalini Sen introduced the forum.