India, Aug. 8 -- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said public access to justice rests on dialogue, dignity and inclusion, which are also the key objectives of legal aid. The CJI was addressing the Western Zone Regional Conference of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in Indore.

CJI Kant said legal aid works with the understanding that people are spoken to and not merely spoken at. It ensures that they are treated as citizens and not mere case numbers. The aim of legal aid is reach the people "wherever they are", rather than expected them "to find their own way to us".

"Access to Justice has never been built by laws alone. It begins with a conversation. Before justice can be delivered, people must feel heard," he ...