Calls for mindset shift as new criminal laws redefine legal landscape
Justice Y Longkumer of the Gauhati High Court (Kohima Bench) on Wednesday said that panel lawyers must become “educators, advisors and counsellors” as India’s criminal justice system undergoes a historic transition with the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
Speaking at a one-day orientation programme for retainer lawyers, panel lawyers and Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) lawyers organised by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) at Hotel Japfü, Kohima, Justice Longkumer said:
“These new legislative reforms are not just cosmetic changes—they represent a new way of thinking about how justice is perceived, delivered and experienced by the common citizen.”
“Lawyers are the first line of justice”
Justice Longkumer noted that panel lawyers are often the first line of access to justice for the underprivileged. She said their role is now more important than ever, especially as the legal fraternity begins the process of unlearning IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act and adapting to the new codes.
“You must change your mindset and unlearn what you have practiced for years,” she said. “This is an opportunity to refine your practice, lead with clarity and ensure that justice becomes more humane and aligned with constitutional values.”
She urged the lawyers to study not just the text but also the underlying philosophies and judicial interpretation of the new laws.
While encouraging lawyers to rise to the challenge, Justice Longkumer also acknowledged the practical difficulties in transitioning to the new system—such as conflicting interpretations, the burden of re-learning, and unfamiliar legal terminology. But she reminded the attendees: “Laws are never static. They evolve. But your duty to uphold justice remains timeless.”
Justice Longkumer emphasized that the training was not just for understanding reforms, but for empowering panel lawyers to serve as informed legal professionals for society.
“Your clients cannot afford to be confused. Delay must be avoided. Your grasp of the new laws must be strong,” she stated.