Speech

By the Hon'ble Mr. K. Subbarao,

Chief Justice of India

Delivered on November 26, 1966, on the occasion of the opening of the Exhibition

Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Governor, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen-

The idea to hold this Exhibition is a happy one. Every institution and the High Court is not an exception-has an organic growth. It has a past, present and the future. Nothing is more important to a High Court than the traditions it builds, reflected in the way Judges work and decide, the Advocates argue and conduct themselves in the Court and the staff functions. Every tradition or every aspect of the tradition can be traced to some order, some procedure or something recorded at one time or the other in the history of an institution. It would be an interesting and rewarding study, therefore, to go into the various records maintained by the High Court. In 1954, when I became the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh, I was also appointed Special Officer to divide the Madras High Court. I had an occasion to go into the old records of that ancient institution. It was very interesting, I was particular to notice the abiding traditions in order to continue them in the new High Court that would be formed, and if possible to improve on them. I found how the Executive treated the Judges with respect, how, except the Executive Councillor, no Secretary addressed directly to the Chief Justice, how the Registrar, though he was a young officer, dealt with the Chief Secretary, who was the Senior most officer, on equal terms, how an English Chief Justice fought for the cause of Indian District Judges when the Executive Government tried to give the English Collectors precedence over them, and how in the precincts of the High Court no person, however eminent he may be, was given precedence over a Judge of the High Court. There were many other interesting traditions and, I am sure, if the records of this Court are looked into carefully-as Mr. Justice Katju has done his best in that regard-you will find many good traditions which you should try not only to follow but to improve upon them. Indeed, the outward manifestations of an institution are only the product of the traditions which have been imperceptibly and continuously built up for a number of years.

With these few remarks and with your permission, I have great pleasure to open this Exhibition.