Perception that women lawyers are in court only to take passovers, adjournments has changed: Delhi High Court judge

Until a few decades ago, there was a perception that women lawyers appear before courts only to seek passovers and adjournments but that has now changed, Delhi High Court judge Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju recently said..She said that it is possible for women lawyers to balance family life with law practice. "There was a perception earlier that women lawyers were there only for passovers. That they would wind up their practice by 4:30. But things have changed a lot. Thanks to our seniors, the perception has changed," she said.Justice Ganju and Justices Mini Pushkarna and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora were speaking on the topic “Discussion on Enhancing Advocacy Skills: Judges' Perspective" organised by Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum.All three judges echoed the opinion that a lot has changed over the last few decades when there were barely one or two women judges and a handful of female senior advocates.“When I joined the practice in 1996, what I saw was that a lot of women lawyers would come with their husbands as main lawyers. The women lawyers would just run around them. Today, the women lawyers and those on the bench are professionals. They are homemakers as well. They know what is in the file and in the jar,” Justice Pushkarna said.The judges also said that women can have both - a family and a career.“A lot of women have come to me and asked how I got back to practice after having children. I always say, you can do both. It is not as if it is not possible. Start with the assumption that it is difficult, but it is possible,” Justice Arora said..Responding to a question about judges’ attitudes towards counsel appearing through video conference (VC), Justices Arora and Pushkarna said that such counsel are at a disadvantage because the person appearing physically has a direct access to court and the judge can gauge their demeanour.However, Justice Ganju disagreed. She said if the lawyer has a stable internet connection and is articulate, there is no difference between those appearing through VC or those appearing physically.On the issue of lawyers being abrasive, Justice Ganju said that a judge is a referee and must intervene.“Just because the other person is being aggressive doesn't mean you have to do the same. Don't let it bother you. This male bullying thing (no offence to them)... But there are certain lawyers who do want to do that. You just wait your turn,” said Justice Ganju.One of the lawyers present at the event asked how a counsel should address judges especially when it is a division bench and one judge is female and the other is male.Justice Ganju said the counsel can call them 'Your Honour, Your Lordships' or any other respectful usage.Justice Pushkarna responded, “Even if you call us as ma’am or sir, we won't mind.”