“Do not join legal profession unless you are willing to keep shuffling papers for five years.”

This was advice of a government pleader to his nephew who wanted to join legal profession and who wanted to join his office as his junior.

“You may be my nephew. But if you will join my office than you will have to work like other juniors. You will have to keep shuffling papers for five years.” The lawyer further said.

His nephew agreed to his conditions and joined legal profession.

🍁 The advice “To Keep shuffling case papers for 5 years” kept him motivated to keep reading legal briefs, one after another, and today he is a successful advocate in Gujarat High Court.

🍁Story of Integrity of a retired High Court Judge who once sat in my chamber and said that though he was a retired HC Judge, he was unable to help his nephew.

This happened many years ago. His relative was in Gujarat. His relative made some mistake and got in wrong place at wrong time.

The relative was charged in a criminal case. And he was convicted.

Since the retired judge was bound to go to Gujarat to help his relative, he went there.

A top criminal lawyer was engaged for appeal in Gujarat High Court. The retired HC Judge also assisted this criminal lawyer in formulating legal arguments.

The appeal was however dismissed by Guj HC.

So to challenge this order, he and his relative had come to my chamber.

Since record of trial court was in Gujarati, they needed my help to read each line of evidence.

Though we tried our best, the appeal to SC was also dismissed.

What I today remember, after many years, is integrity of this High Court Judge. He never tried to influence anyone in judiciary regarding case of his relative.

🍁 The Judiciary also remained unaffected by the fact that accused was a close relative of a retired High Court Judge.

🍁 These were some of those moments when my respect towards judiciary increased immensely.