The fourth edition of a literary event organised by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum recently saw Delhi High Court judges Justice Mini Pushkarna and Justice Sachin Datta dwell on how lawyers stood to benefit from developing strong reading habits.
Justice Pushkarna noted that the best lawyers are effective storytellers who can mould the case of their clients into a story. This art of storytelling can be developed by reading books, the judge pointed out.
“The best lawyer would be a very good storyteller. There's a story of the client, of your client, the story of the opposite side, and then the story which the judge perceives. When you get to read books, you know this is what you learn: the art of storytelling. We the lawyers, the judges, the profession of law, It all depends upon stories which are being told,” she said.
The judge added that books are often a reflection of how society operates and could help lawyers to gauge the pulse of their clients.
“When you read books, you get so connected with the society at large. You really get to know that the world, the society, is not your four corners of the household or the courtroom. When we read books in general, I think it really helps us to connect to society, which for a lawyer is very, very important,," she observed.
Justice Pushkarna went on to observe that books also help readers develop a sense of empathy and compassion.
“As lawyers or judges, we need to be aware of what society is about, to be empathetic, to know what's happening in society, because law cannot be divorced from what society is actually going through and having those feelings of compassion. So reading books will help. We imbibe those qualities from the books," she noted.
She also spoke of how reading books could help lawyers improve their drafting and pleadings skills.
"When you're reading a book, this is what you see: the language, the structured manner in which thoughts are put forward. These things help the lawyers in their pleadings and drafting,” she said.
Two books were picked for discussion at the October 9 literary event, namely a fictional book - a 'Commentary on Property Tax’ by advocate Sunieta Ojha and 'The Figure in the Fog’ by advocate Manini Brar.
Both authors also spoke at the event.
Justice Pushkarna cited the example of 'The Figure in the Fog' to explain how reading can not only be entertaining, but also informative.
“By reading this book, I think any young lawyer will just understand what a trial is all about," she said.
Justice Sachin Datta, meanwhile, spoke about advocate Ojha's commentary on property tax. He lauded the Ojha for compiling scattered legal knowledge, circulars and notifications and converting it into an accessible reference work.
“As a student of law, a property tax brief is perhaps the toughest brief to to encounter. Property tax is the intersection of constitutional law and a plethora of other law. So, this is a subject which is very difficult to master and that is what makes this work that much more special. Many things are hidden in circulars and notifications, which are hard to get even for a professional. Hats off to the author for mastering the law. The law, which has been scattered, has been now compiled in a very easily accessible way,” the judge said.
He also commented on how subject-matter expertise can make lawyers indispensable in their career.
“These days, everybody wants a fashionable brief, the one that will get publicity. But then there is something to be said about mastering a subject. If you get that brief, it may give you temporary publicity. But if you master a subject and convert it into a book and become a professional, well versed in that subject, you become indispensable. So this is a lesson for young lawyers,” he observed.
President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association N Hariharan and Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao also spoke at the event.
The event was organised by Senior advocate Nandita Rao, and advocates Mahima Ahuja, Sitwat Nabi, Vidhi Jain and Devika Mehra.