Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday asked the newly appointed ‘Advocates-on-Record’ (AOR) to enhance their careers through the quality of their work instead of appearing on social media. He also emphasized that long-lasting credibility is built on preparation, ethics and hard work inside the courtroom. Appearance and credibility are not the same thing.
Speaking at the felicitation ceremony of the Advocates-on-Record of the 2025 batch, the CJI congratulated the new lawyers and said that they are joining a community that has helped the Supreme Court for decades maintain the highest traditions of advocacy and administration of justice.
Career is made by the quality of work: CJI
At the felicitation ceremony organized for the new AORs who have qualified from the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, CJI Surya Kant told the new AORs that although their qualification has opened the door to entering this profession, it will not make their career. He said, “Titles can open doors, but they do not make someone’s career. Career is made because of the quality of your work.”
He said that the aim of any lawyer should be that whenever his name appears in any case file, he should be recognized as a lawyer who works with full preparation. He also advised young lawyers not to mistake online popularity for professional success.
Avoid gaining popularity online: CJI
Advising people to avoid gaining cheap popularity on social media, the Chief Justice said, “Nowadays I see that it has become very easy to grab people’s attention and become famous. People have started doing this through social media. But you people remember that such popularity and credibility are not the same things. Everyone should avoid the temptation of measuring their success by online popularity. You do not have to act like a TV channel which is worried about its TRP.”
CJI Surya Kant said that real respect is what one gets inside the court room and from friends, clients and members of the bar. He stressed that a long legal career is built on hard work in chambers, not on the comment sections of social media.
Take care of the poor and marginalized: CJI
He said, “Real respect is what you earn inside the courtroom and from your colleagues, clients and the bar. Legal careers that last for decades are sustained only by serious and unobtrusive hard work. The kind of hard work that is done in chambers, not in the comment sections of social media.”
The CJI also emphasized that becoming an ‘advocate-on-record’ is not just professional advancement but also increases the scope of responsibility. He also requested the new AOR to accept legal aid cases whenever possible and ensure that the poor and marginalized are not deprived of representation.
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