FELICITATION SPEECH OF P. WILSON SENIOR ADVOCATE ——————————————————- The dignitaries on the dias, Hon’ble Mrs Justice S Srimathy, Hon’ble Mr Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, Honble Mr. Justice R Vijaykumar, Honble Mr. Justice Mohammed Shaffiq and Honble Mr. Justice J. Sathya Narayana Prasad,

The strength and reputation of the judicial institution rests in the hands of the Judges who act as fearless protectors and guardians of the law. The role of a judge is pivotal in a constitutional democracy.

I would like to thank the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India & the collegium judges of the Supreme Court and the Hon’ble Chief Justice & collegium of our High Court for the efforts taken by them to select the very best from the Bar for appointment as Judges. I have been consistently representing at all levels & forums that social justice and diversity should be maintained in the appointments of judges to higher judiciary to reflect the wonderfully diverse social fabric of our great nation.

The Honble Chief Justice of India Mr. N.V. Ramana, from the day he took office has prioritized the filling up of judicial vacancies. We are all aware of the strong stance he has taken in this regard. Even though we are only a few months into His Lordship’s tenure, His Lordship’s efficiency, vigor and strength of conviction has spearheaded the cause of social justice in appointments in higher judiciary and ensured the timely and necessary appointment of judges.

I would also like to thank our Honble Chief Justice Mr Sanjib Banerjee for selecting the Hon’ble Judges whom we are felicitating today. We know the Chief to be a very dynamic person, a good administrator, an intellectual, articulate and whose vision is helping our High Court reach new heights.

I would like to emphasize that it is our bounden duty, both as lawyers and Judges to ensure that justice is percolated to the most vulnerable sections of society and that everyone has access to justice regardless of their class, caste, gender, economic status etc. I also strongly believe that it is the need of the hour for the legal fraternity to focus its energies on helping the depressed and oppressed sections of society who are not able to approach the Court due to their economic and social conditions.

To say a few words about our Hon’ble Judges, all of whom I have observed and worked with closely as colleagues at the Bar: Hon’ble Justice Mrs S Srimathy has extensively practised in various fields in Civil and Criminal Law, Income Tax Law, Excise and Custom, Service Tax, Laws of Writs and in Appeal and Company Law Board matters. Her Ladyship has served as Special Government Pleader Education and in that capacity appeared in several important cases. I would like to congratulate Hon’ble Mrs. Justice S Srimathy on her appointment as Judge of the Madras High Court.

Honble Mr. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy is well known for his contributions to the field of Mediation and Arbitration. As a lawyer, he was always very calm and presented his arguments in a pleasant but detailed manner. These are essential qualities for a Judge as well. His Lordship was an Accredited Mediator from 2005 with the Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre and has shown exceptional dedication to all his mediation cases, ensuring that all the parties are satisfied with the result of the mediation. His Lordship was a Trainer from 2007 in Mediation, having trained Mediators & Referral Judges of several States in India & was the Joint Secretary and the Co-Ordinator of the Madras High Court Mediation Centre. His Lordship was an Arbitrator empanelled with the Madras High Court Arbitration Centre. I would like to congratulate His Lordship immensely on his appointment as Judge of the Madras High Court.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice R Vijaykumar has 28 years of standing at the Bar during which time he specialized in civil, criminal, constitutional and service law. He is a second-generation judge. A unique fact is that he had suspended his legal practice when his illustrious father Hon’ble Retired Justice A. Ramamurthy was elevated as a Judge. This shows the level of integrity possessed by His Lordship. During this time, His Lordship was a faculty in Government Law College. Though His Lordship initially practiced before the principal bench of the high court in Chennai, in August 2004, he shifted his practice to the Madurai bench of the Court. His Lordship will be a great asset to the Madras High Court and I would like to congratulate him immensely on his appointment as Judge of the Madras High Court.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohammed Shaffiq in his 27 years of legal practice has conducted several cases before 10 High Courts. That is a unique distinction, one very few advocates across the country can boast of. His Lordship has served as the Special Government Pleader Taxes and has been instrumental in laying down the law in several key areas of tax jurisprudence. His Lordship’s father was also a well-known lawyer, Mr. S M Abdul Khadar who was practicing before the Madras High Court in the field of Taxation and civil laws. I would like to congratulate His Lordship immensely on his appointment as Judge of the Madras High Court.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad is a second generation judge. His father Thiru R Jai Prasad practiced as a lawyer before being appointed as District and Sessions judge. His Lordship has vast experience in civil, criminal, writ and constitutional law. His Lordship has served as standing counsel for multiple banks, financial organizations and corporations including the Chennai Port Trust. As a lawyer, the Bar knew him to be a friendly face and driven by fairness in his approach. I have no doubt that he will be a great addition to the Bench of this High Court. I would like to congratulate His Lordship immensely on his appointment as Judge of the Madras High Court.

I am certain that all our Hon’ble Judges will add to the illustrious history and glory of our Chartered High Court. Friends, at this juncture I am reminded of a quote by Justice M C Chagla in “Roses in December” where he states that “The administration of justice is made possible not only by a fair and impartial judge, but also by courageous and upright advocates”. We know that judges and advocates are two wheels of the same chariot. Therefore, today, when we are congratulating and felicitating our Hon’ble Judges, we must also earnestly take efforts to cooperate with them in their functions, to ensure the smooth and effective administration of justice.