Justice Hrishikesh Roy shares powerful insights on courtroom advocacy, emphasizing language mastery, professional integrity, and the art of persuasive lawyering that defines successful advocates in today’s legal world.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Former Supreme Court judge Justice Hrishikesh Roy, speaking at the Friday Group session conducted by Advocate Seshagiri Rao, delivered an inspiring address on what truly defines effective courtroom advocacy. His words, combined with intelligence, wisdom, and experience, offered timeless lessons for lawyers at every stage of their journey.
Justice Roy drew a vivid parallel between theatre and lawyering, underscoring that the courtroom, much like a stage, demands preparation, presence, and performance. His message was clear,
“the making of a good lawyer goes far beyond mastering statutes and precedents, it is about cultivating language, integrity, composure, and character.”
At the heart of Justice Roy’s address was a powerful reminder: language is the defining tool of a lawyer’s trade.
“One of the very key elements of being a successful lawyer is to have mastery over the tool of your trade, it is the language,”
he said.
He stressed that it is through language that a lawyer frames causes, persuades courts, and commands credibility. Yet, mastering it is not about memorizing fancy words, it is about understanding context and clarity.
Justice Roy urged young lawyers to read widely, not just legal materials, but literature that enriches vocabulary and thought.
“You don’t have to read law; it’s not necessary at all—you can read any book,”
he advised, recommending Justice Leila Seth’s On Balance and Lord Denning’s The Discipline of Law as excellent starting points.
Justice Roy encouraged budding advocates to learn from seniors through observation.
“Follow successful lawyers, see how they argue a matter, You’ll understand what works and what doesn’t.”
he said
He reminded listeners that every great lawyer began with nervousness in the early days, and that composure before the Bench is earned through experience and reflection.
Perhaps the most powerful message of his speech came when he spoke of integrity as the foundation of advocacy.
“You must have integrity in the things that you do. The court must understand that if a lawyer says something, it will never be knowingly false.”
Justice Roy stressed that credibility is a lawyer’s lifelong asset, built through honesty, preparation, and a reputation for truthfulness.
Commenting on the modern trend of over-reliance on case law, Justice Roy warned against what he called “judgment diarrhoea.”
“Rather than piling precedents into submissions, focus on one authoritative judgment, either from the largest bench or the latest ruling.”
he advised
The lesson was unmistakable: quality over quantity makes a far stronger impression on the court.
Justice Roy’s analogy between theatre and advocacy captivated his audience. Just as an actor uses voice, pause, and gesture to convey emotion, a lawyer too must command the courtroom through tone and presence.
“A courtroom submission cannot be bland, it requires tone, pitch, and emphasis to hold the court’s attention.”
he said
For him, advocacy was performance, with authenticity as its soul.
ALSO READ: Denying Intimacy in Marriage: Divorce Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Explained
Justice Roy reminded lawyers that professionalism must rise above results.
“It is important for you to be gracious in losing a case. The client may react emotionally, but the lawyer must remain professional.”
he said.
Victory or defeat, he noted, should never determine a lawyer’s demeanor.
Justice Roy cautioned against hostility within the Bar.
“Don’t be harsh to your colleagues,” he advised, underlining the importance of mutual respect and camaraderie.
Interestingly, he also emphasized physical fitness as a key component of professional longevity. Lawyering, he said, demands stamina, alertness, and emotional balance—qualities best sustained through daily physical activity.
In closing, Justice Roy offered a golden strategic nugget:
“Always under pitch the case in court—don’t start by saying you have an outstanding, foolproof case.”
For him, humility was as essential as skill. It disarms the Bench, builds credibility, and creates space for persuasion to thrive.
