The Chief Justice of India’s Paris visit strengthened Indo-French judicial ties through high-level meetings, discussions on technology and ADR, and engagement with legal communities, reinforcing cooperation in justice delivery, innovation, and global legal collaboration.
A High-Level Judicial Visit to France
New Delhi: The Chief Justice of India (CJI), along with a delegation from the Supreme Court of India, recently undertook an official visit to Paris, France, aimed at deepening judicial cooperation between the two nations.
The visit focused on strengthening institutional ties, exchanging best practices, and exploring future collaboration in areas crucial to modern justice delivery. The delegation was accompanied by Sanjeev Singla, Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, highlighting the diplomatic significance of the engagement.
One of the key meetings during the visit was with Richard Ferrand, President of the Constitutional Council of France. Discussions centered on shared challenges and opportunities within judicial systems, particularly the use of technology and judicial training.
CJI with His Excellency Richard Ferrand and Vincent Vigneau
Both sides emphasized collaboration to enhance efficiency, transparency, and access to justice, underlining a shared commitment to innovation-driven reforms in the legal sector.
The Supreme Court delegation also met Didier Tabuteau, Vice President of the Council of State. This interaction focused on understanding the operational frameworks of the Indian and French judicial systems, including court structures and methods of case adjudication.
The exchange allowed both parties to gain insights into each other’s administrative and constitutional practices, fostering mutual learning and respect.
The CJI delivered the keynote address as Chief Guest at the Indo-French General Counsel and Business Conference, organized by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Paris Bar Association.
CJI with the Association of South Asian Lawyers France
In his address, he highlighted the importance of the Indo-France Year of Innovation 2026 and its potential to strengthen bilateral relations. He also emphasized the rapid growth of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in India, such as arbitration and mediation, which are increasingly supporting efficient dispute resolution in commercial and legal matters.
Further advancing this theme, the delegation met Vincent Vigneau, President of the Commercial Chamber of the Cour de Cassation. Discussions revolved around recent developments in arbitration and mediation and the importance of integrating legal professionals from both jurisdictions. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to enhance cooperation in ADR, recognizing its growing global relevance.
Hon’ble CJI delivering his Keynote Address at the Indo-French General Counsel and Business Conference
Before departing Paris, the CJI interacted with members of the Association of South Asian Lawyers France. During this engagement, he acknowledged their important role in bridging legal systems and cultures, and in fostering stronger connections between South Asia and Europe’s legal communities.
Overall, the visit underscored India’s commitment to global judicial engagement and reinforced Indo-French cooperation in justice delivery, innovation, and legal reform. The interactions reflected a shared vision of building resilient, modern, and collaborative judicial institutions.
