From my Father's House to the Court House

By The Noisy Advocate

“Hennmaklu maneyalli iroke sari”- Girls are fit to stay at home

These were one of the first few words told to me by a judge in the City Civil Court, Bengaluru in 2015. Man, I was enraged!! I asked the judge how he could speak to me like that and as expected he ignored me.

I was quite a noisy advocate when I started litigating, fighting with everyone, ALL THE TIME. Yes, I was THAT person. Over time, I learned to pick my battles. You MUST if you want to survive and I want to do more than survive because I love what I do. In fact, nine out of ten-day are shitty and that one day makes it all worth it. Yes, I am a sucker for that one day. That one day has me getting impossible interim orders, judges being so supportive that your insides are jumping with joy, other side advocates telling you that you did a brilliant job in Court and most of all, seeing a smile on your client’s face.

However, some bad days, sting like a bitch. Recently, I was asked not to “speak out of turn” by a judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka.  These words were used very often in my house too. A house that has only boys/men who have after over 30 years of my existence learnt how not to be bullies and behave how they want because they can. 

Art Credit: Bhumika Radhakrishna

Back to the High Court.

I was appearing via zoom, my matter was called out, I didn’t hear the number because the judge and the court master were inaudible (apparently it is by choice and a grand scheme to prevent Advocates from appearing via VC) but had a strong feeling it was my case because the judge read the office note. When I made a submission, I was told not to interrupt the judge and after he was done, I tried again and he asked me to fuck off by threatening me a little. The usual, I will pass an order against you. Interestingly, on the same day, the same judge went out of his way to accommodate a designated senior counsel who kept jumping up on his seat saying, “my lord, my lord”, every time he got a chance. The judge was annoyed, yes and probably decided to take it out on me. Shit happens, I know. He is only human. Imagine dealing with over 100 lawyers every day for six days a week! I know that I am making excuses for someone’s bad behaviour. Let’s call it a coping mechanism!

However, in reality, a flap on your back and penis really helps in this profession! To cement that I want to mention that, two years ago, a judge of the Hon’ble High Court asked me to bring my senior while I was making submissions in a matter. When I responded that I am the senior, he did not take up the matter. I laughed so much that day!  I mean, seriously?!

Having grown up in a very patriarchal house, I fight the same battles in court that I did/ still do at home. At home, my father calls the shots and at work, the judge, my seniors, and peers (all men, obviously) call the shots.

I have a billion of these stories etched into my brain. Does it make me want to stop going to court, yes, on some days. BUT the feeling leaves as soon as I wear my band and blazer. My superhero costume!