Judges and experts participating in the Chennai Judicial Exchange on Access to Justice presented papers providing in-depth perspectives on the role of the judge in protecting core constitutional values and ensuring fair trial for victims and the accused; perceptions of judicial bias; judicial responses to the rights of vulnerable and marginalised people; and strategies to ensure the effective enforcement of rights.

Inaugural Session

1. Ms. Maja Daruwala, Executive Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
'Welcome Address'

2. Dato' Param Cumaraswamy, Vice President, International Commission of Jurists and former U.N. Special Rapporteur on Independence of the Judiciary
'Keynote Address'

I. The Judge as a Protector of Core Constitutional Values

3. Hon' Justice J.S. Verma, former Chief Justice of India and former Chairperson National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India
'Judge's Role in the Common Law System: Protecting Core Constitutional Values'

4. Prof. S.P. Sathe, Hon. Director, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Pune
'Judge's Role in the Common Law System: Protecting Core Constitutional Values'

II. Manifestation of Discrimination in Society and its reflection in Judicial Decision-making

4. Hon' Justice H. Suresh, former Judge, Bombay High Court
'Recognising Judicial Bias'

5. Mr. Bojja Tharakam, Senior Advocate, Andhra Pradesh High Court
'Experiencing Judicial Bias'

III. Judge's role: A Fair Trial and Due Process for the Accused

6. Hon' Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, former Judge, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
'The Right to a Fair Trial - A Fundamental Human Right'

7. Dr S. Muralidhar, Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Member, Law Commission of India
'Legal Aid: Pitfalls and Possibilities'

8. Prof. B.B. Pande, Professor of Law, Campus Law Centre, Delhi University
'Custodial Justice'

IV. Judge's role in Ensuring a Fair Trial -- Justice for Victims

Panel Presentations - Experiences of Court Users

9. Ms. Navaz Kotwal, Programme Coordinator, CHRI
'Inadequate Investigation - Case Study'

V. Judicial Responses to the Rights of Vulnerable and Marginalised People

10. Prof. S.P. Sathe, Hon. Director, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Pune
'The Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights Under the Indian Constitution'

11. Dr S. Muralidhar, Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Member, Law Commission of India
'Ensuring Access to Justice for the Poor - Using the Rights-based Approach to Judicial Decision Making'

VI. Ensuring Effective Enforcement of Rights

12. Hon' Justice J.S Verma, former Chief Justice of India and former Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India
'Role of Human Rights Courts and Commissions in Building a Human Rights Culture'

13. Dato' Param Cumaraswamy, Vice President, International Commission of Jurists and former U.N Special Rapporteur on Independence of the Judiciary
'Judicial Accountability and Role of the Judiciary as Protector of People's Rights'

14. Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy, Vice President, International Commission of Jurists and former U.N. Special Rapporteur on Independence of the Judiciary
‘Tension between Judicial Independence and Judicial Accountability’