'Junior Lawyers Shouldn’t Get Stuck, Overawed, Frightened Of SC Judges,Those Arguing Are Doing Well': Justice Sanjay Karol

Immense satisfaction and pride of achievement was writ large on the faces of several junior advocates while a Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and S C Sharma dictated order in several cases while they presided over a Supreme Court summer vacation bench entire last week.

Shaky, nervous, hesitant juniors, some of them very young and appearing for the first time, walked out confidently from the courtroom with their head high.

They had waited in the courtroom just to get their case adjourned to some other date as their senior was "unavailable” for various reasons.

But from what is achieved, they are sure their senior will be happy about what they have done. “Great Job”, their Boss will definitely tell them. They know it.

They had been prodded, encouraged by Justice Karol to “just open the files an argue the matter” and many of them went away with a favourable order or a notice issued, which takes the case forward…more importantly, never dismissed.

In several cases, Justice S C Sharma , the brother judge of Justice Karol, was heard telling the junior advocate who argued a particular case. “His Lordship is very impressed with your arguments. You have done well. We are issuing notice. Wish you all the best. This is why we say juniors must argue”

Can there be a better motivation for young advocates? These are coming from the Supreme Court Bench !!

“Case doesn’t matter…outcome doesn’t matter..after all they (juniors) need to get an opportunity to argue you see..we have said repeatedly at least during vacations seniors must make way for juniors .. apt time to test their preparedness …courtroom skills…vacation times are best.. we have seen noted juniors get overawed by the judges especially in supreme court… intimidated..frightened he/she is confused if to go ahead what to say.. will the Bench get offended etc are the issues in their mind see..no they should argue” said Justice Karol.

“What is also more important. No matter argued by a junior be dismissed IN LIMINE on the threshold… at the start… if we are not convinced we keep it for a later date he or she does not lose the case ..We are conscious of the fact they be not at the receiving end from the senior.After all we persuade them to argue its for their professional growth..what best time other than vacation," said Justice Karol.

Justice Karol raised the importance of allowing junior lawyers to argue before its vacation benches, soliciting cooperation from senior advocates, he urged the Bar leaders to spread around word of value of opportunities for the professional growth of younger members of the Bar.

He always highlighted the issue of providing junior lawyers with the platform they need to develop their legal skills and establish their careers.

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