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“District courts are citizens' courts, and therefore lawyers practising in district courts are an important part of the justice system,” observed Justice Abhay Oka, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, while speaking at the inauguration of the Continuing Legal Education Programme at ILS Law College, Pune.

Emphasising the importance of sustained learning in the legal profession, Justice Oka said that hard work is the key to succeeding as a lawyer. He urged young lawyers to make every effort to master both substantive and procedural law and to strengthen their professional skills continuously.

The Indian Law Society, in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation, has initiated the Continuing Legal Education Programme to build the professional competencies and advocacy skills of early-career lawyers across Maharashtra. Under the initiative, 150 lawyers will be trained through a six-month programme, with each batch comprising 30 participants. The Programme is steered under the leadership of Project Director Dr. Deepa Paturkar and is implemented by Project Team consisting of Programme Head, Dr. Varsha Khandagale, Programme Manager, Ms Hrucha Dhamdhere and Assistant Programme Manager, Mr. Rohan Ranjane.

Addressing the participants, Justice Oka highlighted the critical role played by district and taluka courts in the justice delivery system. He observed that these courts are where citizens most directly experience the judicial system, and errors committed at the trial stage can have serious consequences for the entire case. He therefore urged young lawyers to recognise the importance of trial court practice as a foundation of a citizen-centric justice system.

Justice Oka advised young lawyers to learn advocacy not merely through books but also by carefully observing experienced advocates and judges in courtrooms. He encouraged them to remain curious, ask questions and understand the rules, regulations and procedures governing different stages of court proceedings.

Highlighting the importance of procedural law, he stressed that lawyers must strive to develop a strong command over procedural provisions, as effective advocacy requires not only knowledge of substantive law but also a thorough understanding of court processes.

Justice Oka also underscored the importance of professional ethics and dignity in advocacy. Lawyers, he said, must maintain the dignity of the court and respect judges and the judicial institution. He cautioned young advocates against unnecessary aggression in court and advised them to learn to present their arguments firmly, effectively and with dignity. At the same time, he emphasised that lawyers have a responsibility to remain fair and honest with their clients.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri S. V. Kanetkar, Senior Advocate, described judges and lawyers as the “two wheels of the judicial system.” He observed that the public places immense faith in the judiciary and that advocates therefore have an important responsibility to present cases effectively and assist courts in reaching fair and just decisions for litigants.

Noting the need for skilled legal professionals, Shri Kanetkar encouraged young lawyers to focus on gaining practical experience and developing their legal acumen through sustained courtroom practice.

Ms Vaijayanti Joshi, Hon. Secretary, Indian Law Society, spoke about the Society's 103-year illustrious legacy and its contribution to legal education and the legal profession.

Dr Deepa Paturkar, Project Director and Principal In-charge, ILS Law College, provided an overview of the Continuing Legal Education Programme. She informed the gathering that the programme would be conducted through a combination of offline and online learning, with 30 lawyers participating in each batch. A total of 150 early-career lawyers from across Maharashtra are expected to benefit from the initiative.

Ms Hrucha Dhamdhere, Project Manager, anchored the inaugural programme and proposed the vote of thanks.