SEVEN LAMPS OF ADVOCACY

Justice Edwards Abbot Parry, a British Judge, had written a book titled “Seven Lamps of Advocacy” wherein he has talked about seven lamps which every advocate has to keep burning. These lamps are of honesty, courage, wit,  industry, eloquence, judgment,  and  fellowship. Justice Krishnaswamy Aiyer has added another lamp to this list i.e. tact. Great advocates in India like Bhulabhai Desai,  Nani Palkhiwala etc.  had lit these lamps and now it is turn for upcoming generation of  advocates  to keep these lamps burning.

Honesty

Every advocate has to be honest towards client as well as towards the Bench. Consistent practice of honesty leads to credibility and reputation of an advocate. Great advocates of all generations had this virtue of honesty.  Mahatma Gandhi was also lawyer for a reasonable period and during his practice truth and honesty was basis of his practice. Abraham Lincon was honest to such an extent that his honesty was called “perverse honesty”.  In one case he informed the judge about all the authorities in favour of the opposite party and then started arguing his case.

Courage

Every advocate has to be full of courage and bold. Courage is as much a weapon in Court as in battlefield. Courage means presenting case of client without any fear. In many cases an advocate is under pressure from several interested parties. In such a scenario it is duty of an advocate to uphold the interest of client with courage. Many advocates in India had shown courage in the past. Sh. Shanti Bhushan had represented Raj Narayan against Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister in election case. This case ultimately resulted in imposition of emergency in India.

Industry

Life of an advocate is a life of industry. Advocate is supposed to work like a horse and live like a hermit. There are no fixed working hours for an advocate. Every brief has to be prepared thoroughly, case laws have to be researched, arguments have to prepared. It is difficult to find a successful advocate who have not burnt midnight oil.

Wit

Wit is needed to lighten the seriousness  of advocacy in the court room. Where judgment or rhetoric do not work, wit may work. During arguments in  Kesavananda Bharati,  it was becoming difficult for Nani Palkhiwala to argue the case as he was frequently interjected by Bench. He complained to C. K. Daphtary about the same. Daphtary told the Chief Justice the case is drawing great attention. One young girl met him and told that who is this gentlemen who are repeatedly interrupting thirteen well dressed gentlemen.

Eloquence

Eloquence is essential for success of an advocate. There is physical as well as psychological side of advocacy. The eloquence of Bhulabhai Desai, a great advocate who had represented INA officers in INA trail at Red Fort, had reached to a level  that he did not need even  to take help from a note while arguing. Nani Palkhiwala was one of the most eloquent lawyers in India. Justice H. R. Khanna has commented that during arguments in Kesavananda Bharti Case eloquence of Nani Palkhiwala has reached to level which has hardly been equaled.  

Judgment

An advocate has to train himself to form judgment on a case. An advocate has to develop habit of finding  central issue in the case, then only he or she will be able to properly argue before the Court. An advocate has  also to  convey  his judgment about the case to the client. An advocate should not give opinion to the client only to please him and get fee.

Fellowship

Fellowship is also an essential quality of an advocate. An advocate does not join bar for only business and profit purposes. Bar is also a great professional community. An advocate must treat his colleague with dignity and respect and inculcate brotherhood among themselves.

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