Law is a highly rewarding profession both in terms of money and respect, and many young people aspire to someday become successful lawyers. However, it is not an easy job as lot of hard work needs to be put in, both during the law school days and throughout the practice years. But once you graduate from a law school and successfully negotiate the initial years of struggle as a junior lawyer, the road ahead could be highly rewarding. There are diverse practice areas in which you can specialize and establish your niche. If you are not interested in one particular area of law, you can choose to be a general counsel lawyer.
However, to realize your dreams of becoming a successful lawyer, you will have to go through the grind, during your law school days and as a junior lawyer in your initial years of practice. While still in a law school, you will have to train as an intern to get first-hand knowledge of how law is actually practiced, and learn the nitty-gritty of the profession. In this article, we offer some tips for young lawyers and interns working in Delhi courts.
The tips and insights shared here might seem obvious or even trivial to some people, but if you follow them religiously, it is going to work to your advantage. These are small things that can make a huge impact on your career.
Punctuality
It is a virtue that pays rich dividends in every sphere of life. Irrespective of how far or near you reside from the court you must make it a point that you reach on time, at least half an hour before the court proceedings start. Advocates can gain entry into the court premises by showing the identity card issued by the Bar Council of India, whereas the interns have to get their daily entry pass issued from the pass counter. All these consume quite some time. You will often be asked by your seniors for a mention, so you need to be present before the court sits or else you might lose your turn of mentioning. Your seniors might also ask you to get some documents from the library, and for that reason you will have to be present well in advance so that you get them ready before the case is called for hearing. So, being punctual is paramount.
Be Relaxed
Always be relaxed and calm when in court. You have to maintain your composure and not get too anxious about anything. If you get desperate or over enthusiastic, it might look awkward and you may unknowingly obstruct or even hurt people around you. Usually, it is very chaotic in the morning with people running all around the place to reach their destinations on time. There is lot of pushing and shoving, but you have to maintain calm and be courteous with everyone. There are certain etiquettes which have to be observed in the court. When dealing with court official, try to be as humble as possible; rude behaviour can offend them and you might find yourself in unnecessary trouble. Being respectful and courteous will always stand you in good stead.
Be Presentable
As a lawyer, you have to always look presentable inside the court rooms. There is a dress code which you must adhere to. You are supposed to wear a black coat or a gown when appearing before a judge. In district courts, you may find many lawyers dressed casually, but not so in the High Court and the Supreme Court, where dress code is strictly followed by all. Irrespective of the climate or the time of the year, dress code should always be maintained. It is very important that the young advocates and interns do not get influenced by the casual dressing of the lawyers in District Courts but instead follow the lawyers from the High Court and the Supreme Court. Always wear neat and clean clothes, your appearance reflects in your personality.
Always Carry a File
When you have to appear before a bench, for however small a matter, do make it a point that you carry a file or any other document. It’s a basic courtesy that must be observed inside a court. Usually, judges don’t appreciate the idea of lawyers appearing before them empty-handed. Seniors won’t be there all the time to remind you of this, so try to inculcate the habit of carrying a file from the very beginning. It gives a good impression to the judges.
Know Your Case
Typically, as an intern or a fresh law graduate, you are likely to get instructions from your senior about which court to appear and what to convey to the court. You may not be aware of the details of the case, but you should at least know the name of the parties, the current status of the case, and what you are required to do when you appear before the bench. So be informed about the basic details of the case before you enter the courtroom, or else you might find yourself clueless in some situations, and that can jeopardise your case.
Whether you choose to become a litigation lawyer or a general counsel lawyer, the above mentioned tips for young advocates and interns will definitely help lawyers throughout their career.
