Justice B.V. Nagarathna on Young Lawyers: Why Senior-Chamber Training Matters Before Independent Practice
EduLaw EditorialLegal UpdatesJustice B.V. Nagarathna has emphasised that young lawyers should not rush into independent practice without first developing the practical skills of advocacy through senior lawyers, courtroom observation and hands-on experience. A law degree may open the door to the legal profession, but according to Justice B.V. Nagarathna, it does not by itself teach a lawyer how to practise law. For young advocates eager to establish their own practice, the Supreme Court judge has underlined the importance of learning under experienced members of the Bar before stepping out independently. The transition from law student to practising advocate is often treated as a straightforward one: obtain the degree, enrol with the Bar and begin appearing in court. Justice B.V. Nagarathna has highlighted why the practical realities of advocacy make that journey considerably more demanding. Speaking during a Supreme Court hearing, Justice Nagarathna emphasised that young lawyers who immediately establish independent offices without adequate professional training may miss out on the practical skills and professional nuances that cannot be acquired solely through academic legal education. She stressed the importance of training with senior lawyers and learning through direct exposure to court proceedings. The observations were made by a Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Augustine George Masih while hearing a matter arising from proceedings before the Bombay High Court in a copyright dispute involving Puja Entertainment India Ltd. and TIPS Industries Pvt. Ltd. The dispute concerned songs featured in the film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai . A Law Degree Is Only the Beginning Justice Nagarathna's remarks focused on the distinction between knowing the law and knowing how to practise it. Legal education provides the foundation, but courtroom advocacy also requires judgment, communication, preparation, restraint and an understanding of professional etiquette. According to the observations reported from the hearing, young advocates need to understand not only what to say in court, but also when to speak, how to address the Bench and how to respond to opposing counsel. These are skills that develop through repeated courtroom exposure and observation. The Court particularly referred to the importance of what may broadly be described as the "soft skills" of advocacy. These include professional communication, courtroom discipline, composure and the ability to deal appropriately with judges, senior counsel, opposing lawyers and court staff. Learning Advocacy Through Courtroom Observation One of the most significant aspects of Justice Nagarathna's remarks was her emphasis on observing court proceedings. Recollecting her own early experience at the Bar, she explained that young lawyers would often attend court even when they had limited matters of their own. They would observe proceedings before different judges and learn from the way experienced lawyers presented arguments and responded to questions from the Bench. Such observation, she indicated, could help young advocates understand judicial temperament, courtroom expectations and the manner in which arguments should be presented. A lawyer appearing before a particular judge repeatedly can gradually understand how questions are approached, how issues are examined and how submissions can be made more effectively. This kind of practical learning is difficult to replicate through textbooks or classroom instruction. Mentorship and the Transfer of Professional Traditions Justice Nagarathna also connected senior-junior training with the continuity of the legal profession. The practical knowledge acquired over years at the Bar is often transmitted from one generation of lawyers to the next through professional mentorship. The observation is particularly relevant because advocacy involves several aspects that are not always captured in procedural rules or legal textbooks. Preparing a brief, identifying the real issue in a case, dealing with an unexpected question from the Bench, managing a hearing and maintaining professional relationships are all skills that develop with experience. Justice Nagarathna also noted that senior members of the Bar have an important role in passing professional practices and traditions to younger advocates. Courtroom Etiquette Is Part of Advocacy The remarks also came in the context of an exchange involving a young counsel during the hearing. Justice Nagarathna cautioned the lawyer about the manner in which submissions were being made and stressed the importance of knowing what should and should not be said in a court of law. The episode illustrates an important distinction between being legally correct and being professionally effective. Advocacy requires a lawyer to disagree firmly when necessary, but that disagreement must still be expressed within the standards of courtroom courtesy and professional conduct. For young advocates, understanding this balance can be as important as knowing the substantive law governing a dispute. The Larger Message for Young Advocates Justice Nagarathna's observations do not merely concern the question of whether a young lawyer should work in a senior's chamber. They point towards a broader model of professional development in litigation. Independent practice brings responsibility from the outset. A young advocate must deal with clients, prepare pleadings, understand procedure, conduct research, appear before courts and take decisions that can directly affect a litigant's case. Practical exposure before assuming these responsibilities can therefore provide an important foundation. Justice Nagarathna's comments reinforce the idea that advocacy is a profession learned not only from books, but also from courts, colleagues, seniors and repeated experience. The message is particularly relevant for a new generation of lawyers entering practice in an increasingly competitive legal environment. Building a practice may require ambition, but developing the judgment and professional discipline necessary to sustain that practice requires time, observation and mentorship. For young advocates, the courtroom itself remains one of the most important classrooms. And, as Justice Nagarathna's observations underline, experienced members of the Bar continue to play a significant role in teaching the practical craft of advocacy.