The Annual Litigation Conference 2025 on the theme “Comity of Courts and International Legal Cooperation in Practice” was held on Friday at Hyatt Centric, Sector 17, Chandigarh. Organised by the Society of Indian Lawyers (SIL) in collaboration with the Bar Council of England and Wales, the conference brought together judges, senior advocates, and bar leaders from India and the UK to deliberate on strengthening judicial comity and cross-border legal collaboration.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Suvir Sidhu, President of the Society of Indian Lawyers, who called for introspection within the legal fraternity to bridge the gap between “the constitutional ideal and the lived reality of the litigant.” Emphasising ethical reciprocity and institutional accountability, he noted, “Every delay, every adjournment and every instance of professional malice carries a quantifiable cost borne directly by citizens who rely upon this system.”
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, described the theme as both timely and significant. He remarked that in an interconnected world, “the comity of courts is no longer a mere legal ideal but a practical necessity.” Justice Nagu underscored that while every sovereign nation has its own legal system, “we share a common responsibility to ensure justice beyond territorial boundaries. It is not about compromising sovereignty, but complementing each other in the pursuit of justice.”
Reflecting on the High Court’s reform initiatives, he highlighted that the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made measurable progress in reducing pendency, disposing of nearly 1,000 cases per week, and has positioned Chandigarh as a “strategic hub for swift and harmonious dispute resolution.” Justice Nagu further noted that under the guidance of Justice Surya Kant, mediation sessions and initiatives such as the “Mediation for the Nation” walk at Sukhna Lake have strengthened conciliation as a pillar of the justice system. He concluded, “Let us work towards a future where courts across the world collaborate seamlessly where borders do not obstruct justice but facilitate cooperation.”
Shri Manan Kumar Mishra, Senior Advocate, Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), elaborated on India’s expanding international legal engagement. Highlighting the Bar Council of India’s Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Law Firms, he stated that the framework ensures reciprocity while safeguarding the practice of Indian law as the exclusive domain of Indian advocates. He outlined the BCI’s recent global partnerships, including the 2023 MoU with the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Law Council of Australia, and several other international legal bodies to promote cross-border training, professional exchanges, and legal capacity building.
Ms. Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales and Deputy High Court Judge, spoke on the evolution of comity of courts as a cornerstone of international law. Quoting Lord Donaldson, she described comity as “that courteous and friendly reciprocal understanding by which each nation respects the laws and institutions of every other.” She discussed the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, family law disputes, and anti-suit injunctions, highlighting that “comity today is not a relic of diplomacy but a cornerstone of the international rule of law.” She also emphasised the long-standing collaboration between the Bars of India and England, noting that Indian litigants’ high success rates in UK courts reflect the shared commitment to fairness and justice between both jurisdictions.
Delivering the Chief Guest Address, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, called for the institutionalisation of global judicial cooperation through technology and trust. “The world is no longer flat it is interwoven,” he said, adding that “assets may be held in Singapore, evidence may rest on servers in Ireland, and witnesses may reside in Canada, while the cause of action arises in India.” Justice Surya Kant clarified that comity is “not about surrender of sovereignty, but about mutual respect and coordination among nations,” and urged that judicial dialogues be made an institutional practice.
He reaffirmed that “behind every transnational case lies a human story” and reminded the audience that the ultimate purpose of law is to serve people, not systems. Referring to the Supreme Court’s Mediation for the Nation initiative, he described mediation as “a constitutional value in itself” that restores harmony and reinforces justice as a moral enterprise. Concluding his remarks, he stated:
“Law is at its best when it builds bridges, not walls. May this conference inspire us to build those bridges of trust, respect, and shared commitment so that the global fabric of justice grows stronger, more humane, and more inclusive.”
The conference was attended by judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, senior advocates, academicians, and bar representatives from India and the UK. It served as a vital platform to reaffirm shared legal values, promote judicial collaboration, and strengthen the comity of courts as a living principle of modern jurisprudence.