By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, May 29, 2022: The Jesuits and their collaborators in India have launched a law-partnership firm to bring justice to the deprived and oppressed.
“Our mission is to access justice with unimpeachable integrity and persistent competency, goal-oriented personal services in a network of professionals through specialized legal services at a reasonable cost,” says Jesuit lawyer at Supreme Court of India Father Ravi Sagar, the brain behind the CHRL Associates.
Addressing the formal launch on May 28 at New Delhi’s Indian Social Institute (ISI), Father Sagar said the law firm is “one of the most urgent needs of the hour” in the changing national scenario.
Nancy Barlow, member of the Delhi State Minority Commission, launched the law firm.
The law firm, he noted, is the outcome of consultations among eight lawyers practicing in Delhi since January 2021. It is a “creative response from us at a national level” to crucial issues facing people, especially the vulnerable sections of society, the Jesuit lawyer claimed.
He said their collaborators and like-minded organizations spread across India were looking forward to such an initiative.
The law firm was mooted and promoted by the Jesuit Conference of South Asia and ISI Delhi.
Father Sagar said ISI Delhi has for decades carried out legal aid and legal assistance. The institute has also guided social activists and lawyers to help restore the rights of individuals and groups. The law firm would give a fresh impetus to the group of lawyers as a legal entity to serve people with professional service.
“We join with the vision and mission of ISI, to build a humane, secular, and democratic Indian society wherein poor and marginalized communities cherish constitutional values to the full extent,” he added.
Thus, the vision of the law firm is to realize constitutional values through collaborative involvement and networking in a technical and professional way.
Father Sagar says the strength of CHRL Associates is the people in need seeking its help. “We get an opportunity to partner with them in their search for justice,” he adds.
The priest also said their partners, who are experts in specific areas, would ensure their service efficiently and effectively and on time.
The partners of the law firm will take utmost care to “honest, truthful, and realistic about the expectations and outcomes so clients can make informed decisions and flawless with our words and actions.”
Father Sager said the law firm would not take up litigation if the case could be solved amicably through mediation, conciliation, and other alternative dispute redressal mechanisms.
“We will provide the best service and will not compromise the standard of services with an emphasis on our core values of focusing on quality, reliability, and efficacy,” he asserted.
The law firm plans to expand in the national capital and will ensure a pan India presence through its associates in all states, high courts and district courts.
At the same time, the associates will ensure reasonable and affordable fees, Father Sagar added.
It is an excellent move. Although the ADF has done much work on issues of freedom of religion, this vast country needs a network of lawyers and law firms working onFORB and general Human Rights
Hope that the Courts will be the last phase for the ministry of this laudable initiative. Ministry of Truth and Reconciliation is a felt need of the country. As the Chief Justice pointed out recently 50% of cases are government related, and by assumption the result of bad governance. A strategic approach to the problem can prevent as well as save resources, time and human credibility.
Who are the other members of the law firm. Noted Supreme Court lawyer Colin Gonsalves is running his own Human Rights Law Network,