From suffering numerous setbacks in his life to becoming an Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court of India, Advocate Nishant Verma has come a long way. His journey has been stirring yet powerful and rewarding. In this interview, Mr. Verma talks about his interests, litigation experience and much more with Editor Priya Chaudhary-
Q1. What inspired you to join the legal profession?
A1. After graduating in Economics, I wanted to pursue an M.A. in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. But I developed some tragic health issues. I lost my confidence. My father was a lawyer. My relative advised me to carry his legacy. Then I enrolled into the LL.B programme at Magadh University, Bihar. There was an impression in my mind that I could gain confidence doing arguments in courts. That impression paved me to pursue the legal profession.
Q2. You have pursued your graduation from Magadh University, Bihar, after which you moved to New Delhi. What were the early days of practice like, and what lessons will you never forget?
A2. The early days of practice were tough. I was in Patna for one year after my LL.B, associated with an advocate. I used to read files and brief my senior. I observed that there was no growth in me in Patna; therefore, I came to Delhi. I joined the chambers of some very good advocates. However, I had yet to gain exposure to Delhi court practices and procedures. My senior often scolded me but I kept patient because I had to learn drafting, practice, and procedures. I worked very hard in the initial years, running from one Court to another court in Delhi for doing filing work and attending courts because my senior from Patna had given me a mantra for success that- lacuna of having less intelligence can be filled up by doing hard labour.
Q3. Having worked on a diverse range of matrimonial and criminal matters which requires a multidimensional approach. What were the challenges you faced, if any?
A3. I have done some matrimonial cases in the family courts of Delhi. The problem with matrimonial cases is that if both parties contest the cases, then it is less likely to dispose of early. One may influence by prejudice towards the other gender due to matrimonial cases which is not good. My unique challenge in getting criminal cases is that nobody trusts junior advocates in assigning criminal cases (there may be an exception). Very few advocates handle criminal cases. Moreover, it’s difficult to associate with them to learn and understand criminal laws. I have fought most of my criminal cases at the Supreme Court after becoming AoR.
Q4. How did you prepare for the AOR examination? Is there someone who guided you in your preparation?
A4. I came up with my own strategy for the AoR exam. A senior had helped in getting the commencement of the training certificate. He had also given me notes on Practice Procedures and Ethics. But I took the help of his notes only for Ethics. In all four papers, I took a printout of the previous years’ questions and noted down questions which have been repeatedly asked. Further, I tried to answer all these questions in my notes and read only those questions and answers.
Q5. Your life journey has been an arduous yet rewarding one. What kept you going every day?
A5. I am a self-motivated person. Self-motivation is the best kind of motivation. All my friends are successful. I have a basic instinct: I cannot live without respect and money. I have to earn respect and money by any sort of hard work. I take my job very seriously. If I receive a message from the court at 10 p.m. that your matter is the next day, I will only sleep once I read the file thoroughly. The nature of tasks and responsibilities keeps me going every day.
Q6. You have had a 100% success record in District Court cases. Considering that district court proceedings are considered tedious, what is your advice for young law practitioners arguing matters in a district court?
A6. I advise young lawyers practising in district courts not to make unnecessary adjournments always adhere to Court compliances within the time limit. Draw your pleading very carefully. Don’t mislead the court. Stay honest with the opposite counsel. Command your facts for arguments and learn and understand procedural laws as much as possible.
Q7. How had the transition been from part-time counsel under AOR Gopal Jha to being an independent counsel at the Supreme Court?
A7. I was part-time counsel with AoR Gopal Jha because I had some matters listed at district courts and Delhi High Court. At Sir’s office, most of the matters were Criminal Appellate side. I read files as much as I could. After I became an AoR, I started getting matters at the Supreme Court. Currently, I have a maximum number of cases in Supreme Court. Learning at Sir’s chamber helped me understand the practical procedures of SC and drafting.
Q8. Young advocates often struggle with drafting legal documents. What are some tips for legal drafting you would like to give them?
A8. I advise every young advocate to read as many files as he/she can. You will learn the format, which provisions will be invoked in a particular set of facts and circumstances, which paragraph will come early, and which paragraph will come later. For example, you cannot mention Jurisdiction and Court fees in the initial pleading. It will always be written in second or third last paragraph. Read judgments for citing case laws in your pleadings. Understand the facts completely, arrange the annexures, get the translation done, and start drafting.
Q9. What, according to you, is the role of choosing suitable internships in the formative years with the end goal of litigation?
A9. The role of internships at the right time is a crucial and strategic decision many students do not understand. For example, if you haven’t studied CrPC and CPC in your 1st year(which no college generally teaches) and you engage with a Supreme Court Adv for an internship in your 1st year, it would be a big disaster and certainly not be fruitful. You won’t be able to understand the work and case laws which a Supreme Court advocate uses. Thus, students must be conscientious while applying for an internship. They must ponder the practice area of advocate in which they are applying and whether they have studied the subjects like (Major Criminal Acts) that an Advocate deal with.