Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, delivered a powerful address at the Annual Litigation Conference 2025 held in Chandigarh, urging the global legal community to strengthen collaboration through the principles of comity of courts and international legal cooperation.
Speaking on the theme “Comity of Courts and International Legal Cooperation in Practice,” Justice Surya Kant remarked that “the world is no longer flat—it is interwoven,” emphasizing that law today transcends borders, economies, and technologies. “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,” he said, calling on judiciaries to convert this interconnectedness into coordination rather than entanglement.
Highlighting the evolution of the comity of courts, he stated that the principle is “not about surrender of sovereignty but about mutual respect, coordination, and trust between nations.” He observed that in the 21st century, comity has transformed “from a polite gesture to a functional necessity,” crucial for maintaining fairness and predictability in cross-border litigation.
Justice Surya Kant drew upon landmark cases such as Jet Airways v. State Bank of India (2019) and Sharmila Velamur v. V. Sanjay (2024) to illustrate how Indian courts have harmonized international cooperation with domestic priorities, particularly public policy and child welfare.
The judge called for institutionalized judicial dialogues, enhanced capacity building, and technology-driven cooperation among global legal systems. “Judicial dialogues must become institutionalized. They are the bedrock of mutual trust and understanding,” he emphasized.
Reaffirming the human dimension of justice, Justice Surya Kant reminded participants that “behind every transnational case lies a human story.” He urged that comity and cooperation must always serve the people, not just systems or institutions.
Citing the Supreme Court’s ‘Mediation for the Nation’ initiative, he underlined that the future of justice lies in conciliation and empathy: “The true purpose of law lies not in perpetuating conflict, but in restoring social harmony. Mediation is not merely an alternative to adjudication—it is a constitutional value in itself.”
Concluding his address, Justice Surya Kant said:
“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 Hon’ble Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab & Haryana High Court; Miss Barbara Mills, KC, Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales; Shri Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman, Bar Council of India; and distinguished members of the judiciary and bar from India and the UK.
Organized by the Society of Indian Lawyers in collaboration with the Bar Council of England and Wales, the event served as a platform for fostering mutual understanding, sharing best practices, and advancing cross-border legal cooperation.