The Directorial Advisors Consortium (DAC), through its Legal Research & Advisory Council (LRAC), hosted the much-anticipated Legal Connect Conclave 2026 at the NGO Hall, Cubbon Park, Bengaluru.
Themed “Bridging Research, Advisory and Practice,” the conclave brought together an eminent assembly of judges, senior advocates, corporate leaders, academicians, legal researchers, and law students to chart the course of India’s evolving legal landscape.
A Vision for the Future of Law
The conclave was co-chaired by Advocate Anik M. Iktear Uddin, Co-Chairman of the DAC Legal Advisory Council, who delivered the welcome address. He articulated DAC’s core vision of nurturing ethical leadership, legal scholarship, and institutional development — stressing the urgency of integrating legal research, advisory functions, and professional practice to build a more responsive and future-ready legal ecosystem.
Setting a powerful tone for the day, Hon’ble Justice P. Krishna Bhat, former Judge of the High Court of Karnataka and Chairman of DAC, delivered the Special Keynote Address. His Lordship spoke at length on the irreplaceable role of ethical leadership, institutional integrity, and research-driven legal practice in strengthening justice delivery. He urged legal professionals to uphold constitutional values and judicial independence while embracing the demands of a rapidly transforming society.
Shri Basavaraj S., Senior Advocate and Chairman of the DAC Legal Research & Advisory Council, attended the programme as Guest of Honour. His meticulous guidance ensured the conclave was coordinated with precision, reflecting DAC’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
A Book Launch and a Bold Conversation on AI
A defining moment of the event was the formal launch of Justice Written in the Absence of Law, authored by Advocate Anik M. Iktear Uddin. The book examines evolving dimensions of justice, constitutional values, and the law’s role in addressing modern governance challenges, underscoring the power of legal scholarship in shaping public policy and judicial thought.
The common session featured a compelling theme address by Hon’ble Justice Suraj Govindaraj, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, on “The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Indian Judiciary: Navigating Efficiency, Ethics, and Equity.” His Lordship explored AI’s transformative potential in judicial administration and access to justice, while firmly asserting that technology must always be governed by fairness, transparency, and the principles of natural justice.
Recognising Excellence — DAC Legal Luminaries Awards 2026
The conclave witnessed the prestigious DAC Legal Luminaries Awards 2026, honouring exceptional contributors to advocacy, legal research, and public service. Awardees included Shri Suryanarayana Rao, Shri Ramaswamy Iyengar, Shri Kantharaj, Smt. Susheela, Smt. Anuradha, Shri Arvind Kamath, Shri Vivek Reddy, Smt. Prathima Honnapur, Shri Nandakumar, Shri Ameet Deshpande, Advocate Anik M. Iktear Uddin, Smt. Ayantika Mondal, and Shri Akshay Goel.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Vaibhav Malimath, Advocate and Director of the DAC Legal Advisory Council, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, delegates, and volunteers whose contributions made the conclave a resounding success.
The Legal Connect Conclave 2026 closed on a note of purpose and optimism, reaffirming DAC’s enduring commitment to advancing legal scholarship, promoting ethical leadership, and building a collaborative, innovation-driven future for India’s legal profession.