India–UK Hold High-Level Talks to Deepen Cooperation in Law, Justice and Governance

The deliberations reflected a shared aspiration between the two democracies to enhance bilateral cooperation and to promote rule of law and good governance.

 

In a significant move aimed at reinforcing Indo-UK bilateral ties in the realm of law and governance, a high-level delegation from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ), accompanied by officials from the British High Commission, convened a strategic meeting with senior Indian counterparts on 6th November 2025. The meeting took place at 11:30 AM at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, and was hosted by the Secretary of the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, alongside other senior officials.

UK Delegation Members and Areas of Expertise

The UK delegation included key figures responsible for international legal collaborations and policy-making:

• Mr. David Meyer, Head of International Programmes, MoJ

• Ms. Christina Soper, Head of International Rule of Law, MoJ

• Mr. Paul Scott, Senior Policy Advisor for Legal Services, MoJ

• Ms. Barbora Cindarova, Senior Policy Advisor for International Engagement, MoJ

Each member brought critical insight into various domains such as legal reforms, international engagement strategies, gender justice, and institutional capacity-building.

Key Areas of Discussion

The deliberations reflected a shared aspiration between the two democracies to enhance bilateral cooperation and to promote rule of law and good governance. The dialogue was comprehensive and covered a broad spectrum of themes, including:

• Legislative Drafting: Both sides exchanged best practices and insights into effective drafting techniques. There was mutual interest in promoting clarity, simplicity, and accessibility in legal texts to ensure legislative transparency and better public understanding.

• Ease of Living Initiatives: Discussions centered on legal reforms aimed at reducing bureaucratic burdens and enhancing citizen-centric governance. The UK's experiences with streamlining legal processes were contrasted with India's reform initiatives.

• Repealing of Obsolete Laws: Recognizing the importance of modernizing legal frameworks, the dialogue covered mechanisms and institutional strategies adopted by both countries to review, update, or repeal outdated laws.

• Tribunal System Reform: The parties explored structural and procedural aspects of tribunal systems. This included discussions on efficiency, judicial independence, and access to justice through quasi-judicial mechanisms.

• Gender Justice: Special emphasis was laid on legal empowerment and protection mechanisms for women and marginalized genders. Comparative strategies to address gender bias in justice delivery systems were discussed in depth.

• Capacity-Building and Training: A collaborative vision emerged to enhance the capacity of legal professionals in both countries. Training modules for legislative drafters and judicial officers were proposed, with a focus on cross-learning, internships, and knowledge exchange programmes.

Operational Review of Bilateral MoU

An important segment of the meeting was devoted to reviewing the operational aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the UK. This MoU provides the framework for bilateral engagement in legal affairs and institutional collaboration.

Both sides assessed the progress made under existing frameworks and discussed modalities for future cooperation. Specific areas under review included:

• The design and implementation of joint training workshops

• Digital innovations in legal systems

• Legal aid and access to justice models

Reinforcing Strategic Legal Partnership

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both India and the United Kingdom to strengthen institutional ties and promote mutual collaboration in the domain of law and justice. It underscored the growing convergence between the two countries on legal reforms, human rights, and good governance.

This high-level interaction comes at a time when both nations are actively engaging in global forums to promote democratic values, rule of law, and inclusive development. As such, the dialogue not only served as a bilateral engagement but also contributed to the larger vision of legal cooperation across jurisdictions.

The Ministry of Law and Justice expressed its optimism about taking forward the discussed initiatives and facilitating sustained dialogue and collaboration in the future.