The following courtroom experience has been shared by Abhishek Sharma.
The story began when I entered the courtroom for a case in which I was ordered to take another date so that firm gets more time to read out the file and understand the nature of the case.
But sometimes what you think is not that what will happen to you, so as with me. At first, I thought that it’s really easy to get the next date in a matter, but when I entered the courtroom Arguments were already in the process; therefore, I had to wait for my turn.
What is more interesting is that I was already late in attending my case, so I have to mention that I learned just a few days before this incident. Then I got the chance to mention my case, and the Judge’s reaction was quite noticeable.
My case was at the stage of Final Arguments, and I was unknown of this fact because I haven’t seen the cause list and I was told about the status by the Judge himself.
Abhishek: Please give me another date.
But the twist was likely to come in the story, and it came to like-
Judge: There is already one and half year delay in the matter and being a civil judge I am posted here as commercial Judge. What do you think why I am posted here as a Commercial Judge?
Abhishek: ~stays silent~
Judge: (smiles) To dispose-off the commercial matter as early as possible and to provide a speedy trial. Both counsels have to argue the matter right now.
I was shocked and got nervous because I haven’t argued in any matter since I started practising and that moment was an opportunity as well as it seems like an old times punishment.
I again requested him to give me a short date instead, but he clearly said that he wants to hear arguments in this case.
What happened was is more interesting that he gave me 25 minutes to prepare the matter and asked me to argue after the said given time. Accordingly, I started making notes and got the case prepared according to my abilities, and for the first time in my life, I argued and got the next date for further arguments.
NOTE: I was the Proxy Counsel in the above-said matter, and the opponent was also the Proxy one, and we both were sailing in the same boat in terms of knowledge of the case. Neither he got any point to arguing nor me, but in the end, our purpose was fulfilled, which was getting “THE NEXT DATE”.