Reputation in top court not built on whose child you are: SC judge

A bench of justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and MR Shah was categorical that the judges in the apex court were not swayed by the pedigree of lawyers appearing before them

The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that the reputation in the top court is not built on whose son or daughter a lawyer is but on a counsel’s ability to evince his or her preparedness in arguing a case.

Justic DY Chandrachud (PTI file photo)

A bench of justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and MR Shah was categorical that the judges in the apex court were not swayed by the pedigree of lawyers appearing before them.

“Contrary to everyone’s opinion, reputation in this court does not build on whose son or daughter you are. It is built on how well-prepared you are. You gain respect of the judges by showing who you are and how ready you are as a counsel,” said justice Chandrachud.

“Judges always remember about lawyers who are well-prepared. They respect such junior lawyers and give them greater opportunities in future. They always respect young lawyers who come to a court knowing the facts of their case,” added the judge.

The court’s observations came while hearing a criminal case when a junior lawyer requested for an adjournment on the ground that her senior counsel was busy in another court.

At this, the bench encouraged the young lawyer to start arguing the case.

“You should at least start arguing the case. One should never become an adjournment counsel. That’s not how you want your career to be. How will you learn the craft of advocacy if you will never argue a case,” justice Shah asked advocate Ripul Swati Kumari.

Justice Chandrachud, on his part, added: “We are not angry but we are trying to encourage you. Every time you appear before a judge, always be well-prepared to argue a case. Judges will have respect for you and that’s how your reputation will get built over the years. It has nothing to do with other factors.”

Recounting an incident from decades ago when he was a junior lawyer practising in the Bombay high court, justice Chandrachud quipped how he once went to court to get an adjournment without carrying any file with him.

“A senior lawyer called me and said – ‘Beta, never appear before a court without your files. It gives a very bad impression on a judge if you do it.’ I have not forgotten that till date. And you should also not forget this ever,” justice Chandrachud told Kumari.

Justice Shah said when he was a judge in the Gujarat high court, he always made it a point to give ample opportunities to young lawyers to argue. “I was in fact accused by some of the senior counsel for favouring junior lawyers,” jested the judge.

The bench then started hearing the matter, telling Kumari: “We will make you argue today. We will have the other side start the arguments with the bare facts and then we will ask you to argue.”