Judiciary Is Citizens' Last Resort, Judges Must Hear Advocates Patiently: Justice K Natarajan Bids Farewell To Kerala High Court

Justice K Natarajan Bids Farewell

Justice K Natarajan has bid farewell to the Kerala High Court, using the occasion to underline the judiciary's role as the citizen's final recourse. In his remarks, he stressed that judges must hear advocates patiently, framing attentive listening as central to the judicial function rather than a matter of courtesy alone. The farewell marks the close of his tenure on the Kerala High Court bench.

The observations came during a customary farewell reference, where departing judges often reflect on institutional values. Justice Natarajan's emphasis on patience in hearing advocates speaks directly to courtroom conduct, the pace of proceedings and the quality of adjudication. His characterisation of the judiciary as the last resort reinforces the constitutional expectation that courts remain accessible and responsive when other remedies are exhausted.

Why It Matters For Businesses

For companies, tax practitioners and compliance professionals, courtroom conduct is not an abstract concern. The time a bench allows for arguments, the attention given to nuanced statutory and factual submissions, and the willingness to engage with complex commercial or tax disputes all shape outcomes. Businesses routinely approach High Courts in matters involving tax assessments, regulatory penalties, contract disputes and writ petitions against administrative action. A bench that hears counsel patiently is better positioned to grasp technical submissions, which can influence both the reasoning and the relief granted.

The remarks also carry a broader signal about judicial temperament. Litigants and their counsel depend on predictability and a fair opportunity to be heard. Where arguments are curtailed, parties may feel compelled to seek appellate remedies, extending timelines and costs. For compliance teams, this translates into how disputes are strategised, how hearings are prepared and how much weight is placed on oral advocacy at the first instance.

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