Question

So you want to litigate do you? Are you sure? Did you make up your mind after the placements did not go too well? Or do you just want to be someone different? Is that why you “opted” for litigation? Do you want to become another convenient statistic in the “100 % placement” track record of your university? Or do you want to become an “agent of justice”? Is that why you want to wear the black gown and have a band around your neck?.So you want to litigate do you? Are you sure? Did you make up your mind after the placements did not go too well? Or do you just want to be someone different? Is that why you “opted” for litigation? Do you want to become another convenient statistic in the “100 % placement” track record of your university? Or do you want to become an “agent of justice”? Is that why you want to wear the black gown and have a band around your neck?.So you want to litigate do you?.Is this your first day in court? Quite obvious really; you look so excited and nervous and eager all at the same time. Are you enjoying wearing the black gown? Do your fingers unconsciously run through the smooth fabric? Do you find yourself tugging at it when you are not sure about what to do?.Are you sure you are not wearing it inside out? Did you have any trouble with the band? Be careful not to put the wrong side (the exposed stitching) up. Happens to everyone and can be a bit embarrassing. Especially when your senior points it out in front of the other juniors..Polish your shoes. Every, single day. No matter how dusty the court rooms are and no matter how many hours you have to spend in dilapidated, old tribunals and mofussil courts, polish your shoes..It is not called an “appearance” for nothing..So you want to litigate do you?.Learn to steel your heart and take those soiled, crumpled notes from your client. Do not hesitate and do not look into those watery, pleading eyes. Count the notes and make sure you have got what you asked for. Don’t wait for the next week when the client will “most definitely” pay up..This is your livelihood and don’t you ever forget that; a stomach cannot feed on good wishes and blessings alone..So you want to litigate do you?.Feel the heat in your ears as you are ridiculed in front of a room full of lawyers. This is not shame you are feeling, this is something a lot worse. You have nowhere to go so you stand there, right behind the podium, your knees shaking as the learned man who sits so high up away screams and rants and tells you what he thinks about your intelligence..Behind you, you can hear the barely hidden sniggers and the pointed whispers. You frantically look back over your shoulder, waiting for your senior to walk into the room and relieve you of the humiliation. But he won’t. This is a battle you have to fight on your own..So you want to litigate do you?.Try lugging a bagful of briefs up three flights of stairs because the clerk thinks that this job is beneath him. Swallow your pride as the clerk treats you like a piece of nothingness because he knows that one day, the tables will turn..Learn to rush through crowded court rooms and badger and bluster your way to the front. You may very well get an earful from the senior counsels who lord over their “territory” but have no fear. You have a right to be there..So you want to litigate do you?.Be patient. You are not going to stand up and argue on your first day itself. Don’t compare yourself to the wise men all around you who get paid ludicrous sums of money. You will get there soon enough but not just yet. Wait..Be ready. You never know when the chance will come up. A minor argument here, a major adjournment there. All of a sudden you are doing final arguments and suddenly you are writing your own destiny..It can happen. It can happen real quick..So you want to litigate do you?.Forget what you learnt in the thick, fat books at law school. Just forget it. All of Seervai is not going to help you lie with a straight face. There can be no book which teaches you why you should never, ever look perturbed before a client..How can words tell you how one must sweet talk the court master, persuade a reluctant ahlmad to give you a convenient date or badger a client until he tells you the truth?.So you want to litigate do you?.Work. This is a ruthless profession and if you want to reach the top you will have to work very, very hard. You might think that only those in law firms have to be put in the hours but you will be surprised at how punishing court-life can be..Read. Every, single day. Scan the free newspapers which are tossed around in the bar room library; they often contain more information than you think..So you want to litigate do you?.Forget it. You are too soft. Your skin is too thin. I can see how weak you are and I can see how you will be crushed under the pressure. Walk away, this is not for you..Go on. Walk away. Run away towards the air conditioned comfort and the reassuring salary..So you want to litigate do you?.Do not listen to what people say, especially when they try to bring you down. There are more than enough people who will pull you down for no reason whatsoever, slice you up and grin as you bleed. Ignore them..So you want to litigate do you?.Well, what can I say? Good for you? Chase your dreams. I did. And I continue to do so. .This is my last column and I would like to thank you, kind reader, for sparing a few moments to read my ramblings. I would also like to thank the Bar and the Bench, for letting me learn. Lastly, I thank Boss. You have scarred me for life. Thank you.