Utank Banerjee, B.A. LL.B, Heritage Law College, affiliated under University of Calcutta
Introduction
The Indian legal system has traditionally adhered to the practice of rendering judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts in the English language. However, there is a nascent movement to make these judgments accessible in regional languages, as it has been argued that such a move would greatly aid regional lawyers who may not be proficient in the English language. This language barrier impedes their capability to grasp the intricacies of cases, thereby hindering their ability to represent the communities they serve with efficacy.
The utilization of regional vernaculars in court judgments would abolish this impediment and foster a more inclusive and accessible justice system. This would empower regional lawyers to fully comprehend the intricacies of cases, leading to a more robust and informed advocacy. Further, by bringing a sense of familiarity and ease to the legal system for people in regional areas, this would likely foster increased trust in the judiciary and engender a greater willingness to use the legal system to resolve disputes. Additionally, the use of regional languages in court judgments would also contribute to the preservation and promotion of India's rich linguistic diversity, thereby showcasing the country's unwavering commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.
