The BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum kicked off in New Delhi this week.
It marks the start of a three-day conference dedicated to reinforcing judicial cooperation across member states and partner nations. The Supreme Court of India is hosting the assembly from September 4 to 6.
Related: Court Denies Karni Sena Permit Without Police Hearing
Bringing together top legal officials from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE, alongside representatives from Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, the forum aims to address shared legal challenges and strengthen bilateral ties.
It was a packed agenda on the first day. India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant met a wide array of senior judicial leaders from around the globe. He held talks with Igor Krasnov of the Russian Federation, Zhang Jun of China, and Boulos Gahmy Iskander Boulos of Egypt. The discussions also included sessions with Prof. Dr. Sunarto from Indonesia, Mohammed Hamad Al Badi Al Dhaheri from the UAE, and Ayatollah Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Eje’I from Iran. Other attendees included Andrei Shved of Belarus, Aslambek Mergaliyev of Kazakhstan, Mahube Betty Molemela of South Africa, and Malikakhon Kalandarova of Uzbekistan.
Related: GST notices must specify fraud for extended periods
A Diverse Group of Legal Leaders
The core of the dialogue revolved around the practicalities of cross-border business. Judicial leaders explored the role of mediation and arbitration in settling commercial and corporate disputes. There was a strong emphasis on creating an environment conducive to foreign investment through efficient commercial courts. Participants also discussed the possibility of mutual recognition of judicial awards and decrees to facilitate the enforcement of decisions across different jurisdictions. This focus on commercial arbitration and investment confidence suggests that the participating jurisdictions are attempting to align their legal systems to reduce friction for international trade. Unlike traditional diplomatic summits which often focus on geopolitical theory, this forum seems geared toward creating tangible operational bridges between courts that historically operated in isolation. Delegations touched upon specific mechanisms, such as the possibility of entering into memoranda of understanding for judicial cooperation, which could formalize these new ties.
Legal Cooperation and Technology
Beyond the specific legal mechanisms, the forum addressed broader systemic improvements. Officials talked about professional exchanges through institutions like the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal. They also discussed the exchange of best legal practices and the potential for bilateral conferences on contemporary issues. A significant portion of the time was spent on the evolving role of technology. Technology remains a priority. Specifically, the integration of artificial intelligence into the justice system was highlighted as a way to improve efficiency and expeditious judicial processes. Expeditious judicial processes and their role in strengthening people-to-people ties were also discussed.