Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud advised law aspirants to stay focused on their arguments, saying, “If your opponent throws insults, ignore them. Responding won’t win you the case,” stressing dignity and composure in the courtroom.
Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud advised aspiring lawyers to disregard insults from opponents, stating that such reactions do not contribute to winning a case.
He emphasized that he has adhered to this principle even after his retirement.
Addressing law students during the Vishnupant Advant lecture series on “The Present and Future of the Legal Profession: Opportunities, Challenges, and Drawbacks,” Justice Chandrachud highlighted the stressful nature of lawyering and the need for systematic attention to lawyers’ mental health.
He urged future lawyers to redefine their roles as “facilitators of justice above all,” highlighting the importance of ethics. He reiterated that there are no shortcuts to success, advocating for lifelong learning and independent thinking.
Drawing on the wisdom of veteran advocate Fali Nariman, he advised lawyers to be honest and responsible in their opinions, cautioning against the “sporting champ syndrome.”
He remarked that “law is not a game.”
Also Read: Justice Chandrachud’s Tenure: A Mixed Bag of Achievements and Controversies
He said,
“Know your law and facts deeply. Be careful not to get lost in trying to fit your case into old judgments and don’t suffer from ‘case law diarrhoea,’”
Justice Chandrachud stated,
“If your opponent throws insults, ignore them. Responding won’t win you the case. I have carried Fali Nariman’s principle that if your opponent throws insults, ignore them. I am carrying that in my retirement as well. To people who throw insults at me, I have only one answer, if that makes you happy, so be it,”
He emphasized the importance of clarity and precision in court, advising thorough preparation.
He added,
“Think like a lawyer and answer the judges’ questions promptly. Give your answer first and then your point; it’s gold,”
Justice Chandrachud encouraged lawyers to stay updated with significant judgments.
He advised,
“Read, observe, and learn how to argue and how not to argue,”
When presenting multiple arguments, he recommended starting with the weakest but treating it with the utmost effort, saving the strongest argument for last. He noted that hard work tends to attract more work, a notion he found particularly true during his tenure as a judge.
He advised, adding that “integrity is everything.”
“The hardest working judges do the most amount of work. Stay busy, sharp, and avoid complacency,”
He suggested that lawyers should understate their cases rather than overstate them, and to leave anger outside the courtroom.
He remarked,
“Even in heated arguments, calmness wins more than passion,”
Justice Chandrachud also cautioned against quarrelsome behavior, reminding lawyers that “your colleagues shape your reputation.” He stressed that “courtesy matters more than you think,” and advised against personal attacks on judges or opponents.
He concluded,
“Focus on skills and substance over showmanship,”
He acknowledged the high stress levels associated with the legal profession, noting that studies have shown lawyers are more susceptible to addiction and mental health issues, such as depression, compared to the general population.
He urged,
“Talk to each other and understand those who are in distress, why they are in distress,”
He said,
“There is an increase in the number of suicides in our law schools. These are concerns that need to be addressed systematically,”
Justice Chandrachud emphasized that chambers, law firms, and organizations employing lawyers must ensure access to quality mental health care.
He stated,
“All our courts and the High Courts must start with it; they must have a dedicated professional who must come for mental health advice to lawyers,”
He described these recommendations as fundamental to effective lawyering, which combines integrity, preparation, humility, and respect.
He urged students to continually enhance their skills.
He said,
“There is a need for lawyers to reorientate their identity as facilitators of justice before everything. The students should be lifelong learners. Guidance should be taken, but the thinking should remain independent,”
Justice Chandrachud also highlighted the importance of ethics, asserting that they should be prioritized.
He remarked,
“The ethics should be at the topmost and there should be sympathy for the deprived in our minds. If the new generation takes efforts to learn and deliver honest service, there are huge opportunities in the field of law,”
He called for an increase in female representation within the legal profession.
He noted,
“Women are joining the sectors of superspeciality and technical branches today. This change should also take place in the field of law,”
Justice Chandrachud acknowledged the success of students from small cities and rural areas, recognizing the significant role law colleges play in this achievement. He stressed that students should have access to advanced resources such as libraries and databases. Additionally, he encouraged senior lawyers to consider providing financial support to new lawyers during their initial stages.
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