Don't Interrupt An Advocate While Arguing, Flow Should Not Be Disturbed : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday cautioned advocates to refrain from interrupting advocates from the other side while they make arguments. A Bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar, while considering hearing the St.Stephen's case, observed that advocates can't keep interrupting their counterparts just because they don't agree to the arguments advanced. "Just because you don't agree with the argument does not mean you can keep interrupting. Let him (advocate) make submissions", Justice Rastogi observed. "The flow of the argument will be affected. How many times (are you interrupting)? How many times?", Justice CT Ravikumar added. The Bench was prompted to make these observations after noting that Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal was repeatedly interjected during the hearing today. Sibal, when interrupted by another Advocate, said, "I never interrupted you. I don't understand this habit!" "Permit the lawyer to make submissions", the Bench said, in Sibal's support. Next, when Sibal said that St. Stephens had produced so many qualified people including Justice Hima Kohli, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that aforementioned is not an argument. Another Advocate interjected to say that, "Many in St. Stephens are currently in jail as well. There are both sides". This infuriated Sibal, who queried the reasons for the other side interrupting him. "Why is my Ld. senior getting agitated? We are here to make to opposing submissions", the advocate who interjected, replied. The reason for the agitation is the repeated interruptions, the Bench quickly pointed out. After refusing to stay the Delhi High Court judgment in question, the Bench stated that continuous interruptions would certainly affect the flow and focus of an advocate. "When you interrupt an advocate, his whole flow and focus is affected. His flow should not be disturbed', Justice Rastogi. Especially when she is trying to answer a question put forth by the court and then an interruption happens, it would be very difficult for the counsel to balance their thought process, Justice Ravikumar observed. "This culture has developed in the Supreme Court. Very sad!", Sibal remarked. "You are also responsible. You have been in the profession for over 50 years, you are very senior..", the Bench said. "I never interrupt, milords", Sibal said.

Don't Interrupt An Advocate While Arguing, Flow Should Not Be Disturbed : Supreme Court

Rintu Mariam Biju

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