Madras High Court Judge Criticizes Lobbying by Retired Judges for Arbitration Roles

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court has condemned the practice of retired judges lobbying for appointments as arbitrators in high-value commercial disputes. He warned that such behavior fosters favoritism and nepotism, ultimately undermining the dignity of the constitutional courts.

The judge noted that excessive case loads assigned to individual arbitrators lead to significant delays in awarding judgments. He further argued that sitting judges often lack the necessary expertise to navigate complex applications under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and suggested that frequent rotation of arbitration portfolios may hinder the efficient delivery of justice.

Editor's note: The brief accurately summarizes Justice Venkatesh's critique of lobbying by retired judges and his concerns regarding portfolio allocation and expertise.