7. 3 weeks out of law school, I was pretty much convinced that all I needed was 3 years of practise to become a name as popular as Mr. Sibal or Dr. Singhvi. After relentless pestering, my senior handed me a Section 138 NI Act matter. With more than 20 days before the hearing, I had thoroughly prepared the file and was extremely confident.
The matter was listed as Item 5 before the Saket District Court. By the time my matter came up, the judge had already dealt with four lawyers and none of the four had gone particularly well. The first was reprimanded so severely over a procedural lapse that the judge remarked, “There are times like these which warrant me to throw the file.” The second got a similar treatment. The third had been given a month to prepare and still wasn’t ready. The fourth showed up asking for an adjournment without having informed the court beforehand. By then, the judge was absolutely fuming.
My matter was called. The judge looked at me and said, “Mr. Counsel, if this is another adjournment, I am dismissing the case with costs.”
I had spent 20 days preparing. I knew the facts. I knew the law. I knew my arguments. What I apparently forgot was how to speak. The first and the only words that came out of my mouth were: “Ma’am… ma’am… ma’am… ma’am…”
We will have to wait for the next Mr. Sibal/ Dr. Singhvi, sadly.
– 24 y/o advocate in a boutique disputes firm.