Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that Court judgements should not remain only on paper and must be discussed in the society, Karnataka High Court (HC) Judge Justice Krishna S. Dikshit observed  that Court judgements should be such that they make an impact on the society. He was speaking at the diary (2021) release programme jointly organised by Mysore Bar Association and Law Guide Kannada monthly magazine at the Mysore Bar Association office located in the Mysuru District Courts Complex here on Saturday.

Noting that Court judgements will become useless if they do not make any impact on the society, Justice Dikshit said that the judgements should be such that they drive people for having a serious thought about them.

Stressing on the need for lawyers to have a good understanding of the problems of the farmers and the exploited sections, he said that a good lawyer is the one who has a deeper understanding of law.

Citing an example, he said that a lawyer, who want to argue regarding Anti-Cow Slaughter Bill, should have good knowledge about the life and life cycle of cattle and the relationship between cattle and human beings.

Pointing out that the legal profession is a noble one, he called upon the lawyers to uphold the dignity and honour of  the profession.

Recalling his days as an advocate, Justice Dikshit said that he had no intention of becoming a Judge as he was happy with his legal profession. “An advocate has all the  freedom to talk and argue. But a Judge has to work within a framework and with limitation,” he noted.

Underlining the need for lawyers for having a better understanding of human relations, he said that it is important  for a lawyer to have complete knowledge about a subject  to argue a case concerned with that subject. For example, an advocate can render justice to the farming community only if he / she has full knowledge of the life of farmers and agrarian issues, he opined.

Referring to the legal framework in western countries, Justice Dikshit said that while the growth of law in Britain and America is attributed to creative Judges there, here in India, legal growth is attributed  to advocates. 

Pointing out that advocates have been instrumental in upholding the Indian Constitution, he said that he takes pride of being a member of the Bar Association for years before becoming a High Court Judge.

Senior advocate M.D. Harishkumar Hegde, who delivered the keynote address, said that Law Guide magazine was brought out 20 years ago with an objective of helping junior lawyers by publishing Court judgements in Kannada.

He further said that the magazine is providing training for Public Prosecutor exam and Judge recruitment exams by conducting classes and lectures by subject experts and resource persons. Hegde also said that some of the judgements delivered by Justice Krishna Dikshit were landmark ones.

Mysore Bar Association Secretary B. Shivanna said that the diary is very useful for lawyers as they can make notes regarding the cases they have taken up.

Mysore Bar Association President S. Anand Kumar said that the Association which used to bring out diaries every year could not do it this year because of COVID-19 crisis. He thanked Law Guide Editor H.N. Venkatesh for helping in bringing out the diary following a request by the Association.

Justice Krishna S. Dikshit was honoured on the occasion.

Law Guide Editor H.N. Venkatesh, Mysore Bar Association Vice-President S.G. Shivannegowda and others were present.