Today we have Abinash Das, an extraordinary extempore expert, a debater beyond compare, and whose arguments in moot court force you to concede to his cold logic. Read the interview to find out more about this intellectual giant.

• Thank you for your time today! We are immensely grateful that you could spare a few minutes.
  • Thank you. It’s a pleasure
• If you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us what were your aspirations and dreams before you entered law college?
  • Right through my 12^th standard, I was keen on pursuing law. And I used to love debating. So coming into this field never felt strange and I explored all avenues that I could.
• Would you say then that they remain unchanged even after undergoing the rigorous law school study?
  • Since I came with no baggage of making into any one dimension of law,I never limited myself into any particular aspect. My love for articulating got me started on moots and here I’m associated with a chamber. So let’s say, I’m on the way I’m meant to be.
• We have noticed that unlike your peers, you have straightaway gotten into the litigation field, is the allure of being a lawyer stronger than having a master’s degree attached to your name?
  • I’m currently pursuing my Master’s degree besides being associated with the chamber
• You were not only an academic topper in your college but also a moot court champion, how did you manage to balance your studies with such extra-curricular activities?
  • Since the beginning of college, I was drawn towards mooting and was extremely passionate about it. So it never really felt burdensome. Moreover, the intra and inter semester mootcourts fueled participation.Coming to academics, I felt the curriculum isn’t as cumbersome as in case of other law schools. So balancing would not be a problem for someone who’d want to make it work.
• What is the primary difference in the law taught in law colleges and their real life application?
  • Not much really. There’s a strong need to have your fundamentals of the theory papers right before you can apply it to cases at hand. But I would definitely say that litigation is a different arena where you go way beyond the written pages of textbooks.
• Is it not possible to learn the ways of litigation right from the college days itself so that the students may hit the ground running?
  • Definitely. That’s what internships in Chambers are meant to hone.
• Having participated in numerous moot courts and conducting a lot of them as well, how do you think these moot courts compare to the real courts? Is there any difference?
  • Well Yes! The preparation for presenting a case in real courts is a little more tedious but doesn’t require as long a session for argument as in moots. But I think moots do prepare a student for facing the bench with a better headspace and confidence.
• Can moot courts and debates prepare law students for a future in the field in litigation?
  • I suppose they help you build confidence and increase your skill to explain things better. But that’s just about it. Any ground is as suited as you think it to be.
• Do you think that extracurricular activities and internships are necessary to become a good lawyer?
  • I wouldn’t exactly deny it but yes they do add to your experience and help you learn the art of being spontaneous and multitask. That being said, internships for a law student are extremely enriching if done under the right flagship.
• It is often said that to become a litigator of no mean measure, one must work day and night for 07 years at least. How far do you agree with this statement? And are the methods of our respected senior lawyers still relevant?
  • That depends on who your mentor is, how meticulous And sincere you’re, your patience and how fast LUCK plays out in your favor! Never decided by a calculated time frame.
  • As far as relevancy is considered, I’ve always felt experience counts more than anything else. So to each his own.
• Earlier lawyers would practice a vast variety of laws in order to help their clients but in this age and day, do you think lawyers should abandon this practice and focus on specialization, thereby becoming the proverbial ‘masters’ rather than a ‘jack of all trades’?
  • Well, a lawyer’s best skills come from his ability to traverse through and dissect statutes so as to apply the best possible remedy for the situation or a combination of it. So the skill of having an all-round knowledge never hurt anyone. Moreover, a larger client base is an advocate’s asset. Having said so, specialization would definitely be a welcome change provided it Garners as many takers in the long run, say for a long established lawyer who’s well acclaimed.
• It is rumored that the Bar Council of India is working on guidelines that will make it compulsory for the law students fresh out with their degrees to practice in the lower courts for a specified number of years before they can move to other higher courts. What is your take on this?
  • Anything that works out in favor of improving the quality of the legal fraternity would largely be welcome.
• What do you believe are some essential skills a lawyer should possess to make it to the top of the ladder? And why?
  • Haha that’ really subjective but I would definitely say confidence, the willingness to learn and not to take failure to the heart
• Do you have any suggestions on improving the current legal system?
  • In the Indian context, our growing population would seek a rather wide legal assistance base. So a push in that aspect in terms of speedier access  would help. But there are shortcomings in almost all professions and I think the future of the Indian legal scenario is in good hands with qualitative improvements being regularly made.
• Thank you, and before we end this fantastically enlightening session, What is your message to the law students out there hoping to get into litigation?
  • LEARN IT TO EARN IT ! There’s no alternative to this adage.