Joint Communiqué: Supreme Court of Kenya Hosts Delegation from Supreme Court of India

11^th March, 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya

On March 10, 2025, the Supreme Court of Kenya hosted a distinguished delegation from the Supreme Court of India at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi. This visit marks the second engagement between the two apex courts, reinforcing their mutual commitment to advancing judicial diplomacy and strengthening collaboration in the pursuit of justice and the rule of law.

As the highest judicial bodies in their respective countries, the Supreme Courts of Kenya and India are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping legal discourse, protecting democracy, and promoting good governance. In this regard, the two Courts have committed to learning from each other’s experiences, sharing best practices, and collaborating to enhance access to justice in a rapidly changing global environment.

The discussions during the visit touched upon several key areas of mutual interest and collaboration:

1. Judicial Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence: Both courts discussed how to leverage technology to modernise judicial systems, optimise case management, and enhance efficiency through artificial intelligence and digitisation.

• South-South Cooperation: The Courts also explored opportunities for South-South cooperation in addressing climate change and environmental dispute resolution, recognising the shared challenges faced by both countries in these critical areas.

• Case Management and Judicial Efficiency: Enhancing judicial efficiency and case management systems was a key focus, with both Courts committed to streamlining processes and improving access to justice for all citizens.

• Knowledge and Research Exchange: There was a strong emphasis on fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and research exchange, particularly through platforms that enable the sharing of electronic research and judicial decisions, especially in key governance areas.
• Sustainable Judicial Funding: Both Supreme Courts acknowledged the importance of sustainable funding for the judiciary, recognising that financial independence is essential for ensuring judicial impartiality and efficiency.

• Shared Online Education Platforms: The Courts also agreed to establish shared online courses on critical subjects such as mediation and arbitration, offering judges and judicial officers new opportunities for professional development.

• Judicial Exchange Programmes: The Supreme Courts of Kenya and India agreed to establish an exchange programme for law clerks and share best practices in training and mentorship for judges and judicial officers, with the aim of fostering mutual growth and learning.

The Justices reaffirm their dedication to ensuring that justice is delivered in a timely and efficient manner, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring access to justice for all. They also pledged to continue embracing technology, fostering public trust, and advancing collaboration in both national and international legal communities.

The evolving partnership between the Supreme Courts of Kenya and India is viewed as a critical step towards judicial excellence and the strengthening of judicial systems, ultimately benefiting citizens in both nations and reinforcing their shared values of justice and equity.