Art of Advocacy
AFTER joining the legal profession, one is expected to take up the client's brief and plead for him in the courts and the Tribunals. This involves arguments before the judges, legal research, a thorough knowledge of the facts of the case, the law applicable, the precedents bearing on the case, good anticipation of the arguments of the opponent, a deep insight into the strengths and weakness of one's case and the ability to think on one's feet. In addition, you are expected to be prepared for the questions coming from the bench. All these are collectively known as skills of advocacy.
The art of advocacy is not a glib or superficial exercise. It is the result of hours of hard work and research. If you want to argue for 15 minutes in the court, it will require at least 3 hours of preparation. Please do not carry the impression that advocacy means only the gift of the gab. The gift of the gab is only part of it. But it is the mastery acquired by you over the facts and the law that will keep you in good stead before the court.
[Excerpts from a speech of Justice Easwar]