To become a good lawyer, listen to others, Know your Judge : Kapil Sibal

Pune, January 11, 2020: The Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University) New Law College, Kothrud, Pune, today organized Dr. Patangrao Kadam Lecture Series on ‘Advocacy Skills’.

Speaking on this occasion Kapil Sibal, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, said, “Advocacy is a skill, it is like a cooking a dish with a perfect mixture.”

He said that basic principles of advocacy are:

a) In life you should know very little things and be prepare to learn from others which is essential in any profession.

b) Advocacy is an art to listen to people/others we don’t think before we answer, so listen to people.

c) Life is not all about law, Law emerges from life and the fundamentals of law are based upon common sense, so lawyers should common sense also.

d) Lawyer should expand his knowledge also in all other fields like commerce, economics, arts, etc. and for that he should be able to read and listen.

“Supreme Court stated Internet as a fundamental right, so what is communication? Is it also fundamental? This needs to be understood. Success in profession is not only keeping good relation with the clients but also to keep good relation with colleagues is important.”

He further added, “In Court of Law nobody is superior, Art. 14 states, Equal Opportunity in the courts to all the lawyers. Lawyers should be master of the case as it is not only the law but it is interpretation of the law that is important. Why the law is made? What is the emotion behind the Law (Art. 370)? And understanding the emotion behind the law is very important. Know your Judge (KYJ) has also become an important part of your legal profession as Judges are also human beings. They have their own individual ideologies to determine the cases.”

Sibal also mentioned that a lawyer has to understand his client and enter into the shoes of the client.

“Lawyer should have courage to speak, fight for what is right and also argue against a tide. Right and wrong changes with the times. Passion is a part of human activity, and societal relationship plays an important role in legal profession. Your mind is like a parachute which should open safely.”

Bhagyashree Deshpande, BV(DU), New Law College, Pune, Prof. Dr. Shivajirao Kadam, Chancellor, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University), Prof. Dr. Manikrao Salunkhe, Vice Chancellor, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University), G. Jaykumar, Registrar, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University), were also present on the occassion.