Some lawyers spreading sense of dread on social media about matrimonial matters: Justice BV Nagarathna

Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday said that certain lawyers under the guise of disseminating legal literacy on social media were spreading a sense of dread, particularly on matrimonial cases. .Justice Nagarathna urged lawyers to be responsible while advising clients and ensure that there is a balance between the duty towards the client and duty to the court.She was speaking at the 11th Convocation of the National Law University (NLU), Delhi."In recent years, under the guise of disseminating legal literacy, a disheartening practice has been adopted by some lawyers on social media. To solicit clients by invoking a sense of dread, especially in matrimonial matters and marketing what is called saving tactics that is scuttle or bombard the legal process. Dear graduates as constructive citizens, you must ensure that your advice to clients are not laced with a side step of law but must balance between your duty to the client and to the court," the top court judge said.Pertinently, she advised young advocates to avoid frivolous litigation and not let themselves be used by busybodies to harass litigants or the State."Dear graduates, you have the responsibility to not misuse forums by frivolous petitions or lengthy submissions. An advocate must never allow themselves be used as masks for a busy body merely to harass litigants or the State or deliberately approach wrong forums or protract litigation," the judge emphasised. .While addressing the recent graduates, Justice Nagarathna said that members of the bar due to their ethical, intellectual and practical education, understanding of legal apparatus and Indian society, are more suited to become constructive citizens. "Your generation sits at the intersection of traditional legal practice and legal transformation," the judge told the law graduates as she impressed upon them to conduct themselves with a degree of responsibility.Speaking about litigation, Justice Nagarathna said a case file is not a mere chronology or index of events but speaks of human struggles and sufferings at all stages of life.The legal practice exists in shades of grey that obligates you to choose the right path in a lis, the judge remarked."It is incumbent upon you to show that your pragmatic actions as lawyers are principled, limited by legality and emboldened by morality and your contributions to the society must go beyond legal practice," she added.The apex court judge also said that Constitution was neither the product nor the exclusive domain of Lutyens' Delhi."But [it] breeds in an unheard perspective on every crossroad of this country. As a guardian of rule of law ... a lawyer treads into a desired path which is eloquently spelt out in the preamble of the Indian constitution," Justice Nagarathna remarked. .Justice Nagarathna also told the young graduates that their client in law practice will always put their trust in most challenging times and they must honour it by competent representation."It is unfortunate that today young members of the legal profession who represent the indigent are viewed as less successful. Undeterred of these perceptions, you must resolve to ensure for the indigent, the most competent representation possible. You must also not view free legal aid as advice to poor without quality," she remarked..In an increasingly polarised world, lawyers have the opportunity to bridge divide and foster understanding, she opined."You must adopt a problem solving approach," Justice Nagarathna told the law graduates.