Senior Advocates should allow their juniors to argue cases; not make them 'adjournment advocates': Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday suggested senior advocates to allow their juniors to argue cases so as to make ensure that the young lawyers gain experience and the bar becomes more robust. .A bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri asked some Senior Advocates present in the Court to allow their juniors argue before the Court from Wednesday. "Our endeavour is to make the young bar strong. Why we are saying all this is because today's young advocates would be Senior Counsel in next 10 years. They should learn from now onwards. So let your juniors argue before us," the bench said. The remarks were made after a junior lawyer from Senior Advocate Shalin Mehta's office appeared before the court in a contempt of court matter seeking an adjournment till Thursday.The bench suggested her to argue the case, to which the junior advocate said that her senior has already made detailed submissions and arguments. "We don't see you argue any case before us. Madam, you should start arguing now given your over three years practice," the Chief Justice responded. .The bench then explained why young lawyers should start arguing cases. The best part for juniors, the bench said, is when the senior counsel is absent. .During the exchange, the bench turned to advocate Moon Shah, who was present in the courtroom with his junior."Mr Shah, we want your juniors to argue some cases before us from tomorrow. Let you junior appear before us from tomorrow and argue some cases," CJ Kumar said. Shah said that he would let his juniors to argue but in his presence. The CJ quipped, "Mr Shah, whatever minimum they would argue would also not happen if you are around them... They will be scared. Give them the opportunity to argue before every court.".The judges then expressed displeasure over Senior advocates mentioning matters and even appearing in contempt of court cases. "I haven't seen Senior Advocates arguing in contempt cases. Even seniors should not mention matters. Let the juniors do it. Let them learn. Forget it if it is a heavy matter or a simple case, give them an opportunity to learn," CJ Kumar suggested. At this, Shah said that sometimes in heavy cases, advocates deem it not to take a chance by letting a junior argue or handle the case. "See our endeavour is to do justice. We aren't advocates, who want to win a case. There is a difference," CJ Kumar responded. .Another Aenior Advocate, present in the courtroom agreed to the suggestions coming from the Chief Justice, and recalled how he himself learnt by arguing cases as a junior. "In fact, my senior used to tell me, I am throwing you in front of Lions and Tigers. You have to argue the case," he said. .CJ Kumar said that if juniors are allowed to argue, the pressure on seniors would reduce.