Jalna
Legal Affairs: A law degree provides essential academic knowledge, but effective advocacy also demands practical judgment, courtroom etiquette, client communication, drafting and ethical decision-making. In a May 21, 2024 Verdictum column, Karnataka High Court advocate Shridhar Prabhu argued for Human Libraries to connect experienced lawyers with younger practitioners.
Court corridors already function as informal classrooms. While waiting for hearings, advocates exchange insights on litigation strategy, professional relationships and courtcraft. Yet many law students have limited exposure to actual case preparation and client interaction, despite internships and practical courses.
The Human Library movement began in Copenhagen in 2000. Adapted to legal practice, the model allows junior lawyers to interact directly with experienced advocates, retired judicial officers and legal academics as living sources of knowledge. Monthly sessions could address civil and criminal litigation, cross-examination, legal drafting, professional ethics and client counselling.
Proposed statement for approval by Adv. Mahesh Sitaram Dhannawat (B.Com., LL.M.), Jalna: “A law degree creates an advocate, but experienced mentors help create competent, compassionate and responsible legal professionals. Bar Associations should offer monthly mentoring, particularly to first-generation and rural advocates.”
AI and legal databases can accelerate research, but cannot fully substitute for professional judgment and human experience. A pilot Human Library programme at district and taluka Bar Associations could improve mentorship, professional standards and access to justice.
Source: Shridhar Prabhu, Verdictum, May 21, 2024. Independent news analysis, not a verbatim reproduction. The Dhannawat statement is proposed pending approval.
Read in: हिंदी
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