Lawmaking Process Needs Changes: R Venkataramani

The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, hosted a groundbreaking initiative, the 'International Legal Conference 2024, on the 20th of April at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 

The theme of the event was "The Legal Dimensions of Global Trade@2047,” focusing on the transformative potential of the legal sector in shaping India's economic trajectory.

Graced by the Guest of Honor, Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General of India, the event included discussions on liberalizing India's legal sector, leveraging artificial intelligence, and optimizing dispute resolution mechanisms, providing actionable insights for industry stakeholders.

Addressing the conference, Guest of Honor, Mr. R Venkataramani, Attorney General of India, shared, “Life revolves around service, echoing our Indian ethos of communal welfare. I believe legal practitioners play a pivotal role in enhancing service quality across diverse sectors. The evolving landscape demands a reevaluation of archaic legal principles and procedural inefficiencies.

The service provision must not stand out in isolation today. It needs to be connected to the rest of policymaking, and I believe our lawmaking process needs to undergo radical changes. The connection between people, representatives, policy-making, inputs, and insights must be a loop. However, amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for collective introspection and innovation. Just as technology has revolutionized our connectivity, so too can it transform our approach to law and governance. This era of interconnectedness necessitates a holistic approach to policy-making and justice administration. It's not just about enacting laws but also ensuring their effective implementation and relevance in a rapidly changing world. Let's harness our collective wisdom and creativity to forge a path towards a more just and prosperous society.”

Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and Founder Chairman of SEPC, shared, “There are currently 5 crore cases pending in India, and the cases are mounting. We need to enhance the facilitation of the disposal of matters, which is currently not happening due to obsolete laws. 

The ease of filing should be accompanied by a simultaneous process of disposal. I believe there needs to be a rationalization of laws, involving the removal of obsolete laws from the statute books. This includes laws from the 1800s, such as laws of evidence, contracts, taxes, etc. Mere substitution with new codes, like in the case of labor codes, doesn't bring much benefit. 

I believe that the legislative department of the Ministry of Law and Justice has a significant role to play in this rationalization process. The focus for the future needs to be to bring justice by removing and reducing the notorious laws and delays in mediation and settlement.”

The primary objective of the International Legal Conference was to foster dialogue and exchange on critical issues shaping the legal landscape. 

Welcoming and addressing the congregation, Mr Karan Rathore, Chairman SEPC, shared, "In line with the vision of the Indian economy and export goals during the Amrit Kala, being a catalyst, a platform, and a nodal point for facilitating international trade, exploring, and creating business opportunities, SEPC has a very significant role in providing inputs of policy formulation, regulation, and a regulatory framework conducive to enhancing exports from India. We are working on lowering trade barriers across the globe. 

We have organized this conference at a juncture where India strives to create a giant leap towards the realization of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The legal sector, a cornerstone of both manufacturing and services, holds immense economic importance for our nation. With over 1.4 million advocates nationwide, India boosts one of the biggest legal professions sectors globally. Recognizing this, we at SEPC champion the cause of Indian service providers, paving the way for their success on a global stage.”

Dr. Abhay Sinha, Director General, SEPC, shared, Dr. Abhay Sinha, Director General, SEPC, shared, “We extend our gratitude to Dr. Venkataramani for his invaluable insights. We are privileged to have the continued patronage of Dr. Lalit Bhasin, our Founder Chairman. SEPC recognizes the potential of the legal sector and the massive contribution it can have to India’s economy. We are with the legal sector in this changing landscape, and we will continue to work towards finding a strong position for Indian legal services on the global scene and adapting to serve clients worldwide.”

The International Legal Conference 2024 brought together thought leaders and practitioners to chart a course towards a future where India's legal provenance is globally recognized.