Justice Surya Kant Sets Pendency & Mediation As Top Priorities Ahead Of Taking Charge As CJI

Two days before he steps into the role of Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant has outlined a clear set of goals for his 16-month tenure. In a conversation with journalists on Saturday, he said his foremost concern would be the large number of pending cases across the judiciary, starting with the Supreme Court itself.

Justice Kant noted that the apex court is dealing with more than 90,000 pending cases, a challenge he wants to confront immediately after assuming office on Monday. He said clearing long-standing legal questions would help reduce the burden on courts nationwide.

He explained that several matters in high courts and lower courts have been held up because important questions of law are yet to be settled. To address this, he plans

to set up Constitutional Benches on priority so that such issues can be resolved and routine cases can move forward.

The incoming CJI also emphasised the need to strengthen judicial discipline. According to him, many litigants are approaching the Supreme Court directly even when their matters should first be heard by the lower courts or high courts. He said understanding the reasons behind this trend would be important in restoring healthy legal practices.

Justice Kant said his second major focus will be expanding mediation, pointing out that a significant number of disputes could be settled without going through a lengthy court process.

“The entire country is talking about mediation today,” he said, adding that several corporate firms had recently reached out to the Supreme Court seeking mediation training for their officers.

He shared that a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are also expected to be signed soon. These agreements will involve the Supreme Court and several international dignitaries who are travelling to Delhi for his oath-taking ceremony.

More than a dozen foreign judges and chief justices are scheduled to attend the swearing-in event at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. Justice Kant is set to serve as Chief Justice until his retirement in February 2027.