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I am from a mid-tier NLU, about to join a disputes team at a Tier-1 firm that handles a wide range of matters, from arbitration to litigation before courts and tribunals. I’d be incredibly grateful if any seniors working in disputes could share their insights on how to fit in, add value, and excel in such a fast-paced environment. Any advice or tips, big or small, would be deeply appreciated!
TIA
2. Learn to bookmark pdf files. This helps a lot when you are dealing with large files. It will save you a lot of time and impress your seniors while briefing them
3. Drafting will come over time. Don't stress it but at the same time try going over as many drafts as possible available in your office and try to understand the style of what is expected. You can use chatgpt but it shouldn’t show and also PLEASE verify the citations.
4. Learn to use SCC/manupatra/HC websites/ecourts. Especially helps when you want to understand whether a precedent has been overruled/followed/dissented etc. learn how to check whether HC order/judgement has been challeneged.
5. For those HCs which dont have live streaming - carry a diary/piece of paper on which you write in a few lines what happened in the matter, next date etc. for T1 clients this helps making client updates which your partner will hound you about
6. DO NO ATTEND CONFERENCES WITHOUT READING THE MATTER. No matter how junior you are, now you are expected to read the matter. Even if there are seniors on your team, prepare the matter so that you can step up if required. And trust me, it is noticed.
7. Download bare acts from SCC/manupatra. What i have found is most of the time they are up to date but some acts like the Income Tax Act which is amended yearly was not up to date but that is an exception. Point is that use up to date bare acts so you dont end up looking like an idiot. Also for state bare acts, run a google search to see if you’re missing any amendments because these are not updated periodically
8. If you’re assisting your partner/SA/Counsel in court have all relevant pages handy + print outs available if required to show the Court. Same applies to judgements etc.
9. Try becoming friendly with the court masters/registry if you go to particular courts. Initially all will seem distant but overtime they will help you out in exchange for (obv ₹₹₹). But what people dont understand is you cant just walk up to them with 500 and say do this. There has to be a relationship.
10. Keep a worksheet of the matters you work on from day 1. Whether it is research, drafting, preparing a matter etc as this will help you update your CV when you plan to leave. After 3-4 years no one remembers all matters they did unless they spent a good amount of time.
Also, I plan to shift to Delhi in a few years since it's closer to home. Are such moves usually difficult?
Disputes is a kind of practise in firms where there aren't many opening around the year. you must have noticed this on linkdln job posts calling for Associates. But since all major law firms are there in Delhi I think the shift may be a little easier. Knowing your local courts also helps so don't move so often and stick to a place closer to home & where you can keep your expenses on rent and utilities to a minimum.