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https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/283017-dealing-with-social-anxiety-in-law-firms
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/415924-can-an-introvert-make-it-in-big-law
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/229578-introvert-x-law-am-i-in-the-wrong-field
If you want to excel in legal drafting, the only thing that matters is your command over language. You get an idea of the typical terms to use, how to structure it, etc., based on the case files you would read during the course of your usual work otherwise. For language, I'd say just start reading books. Fiction or non-fiction, doesn't matter. If you want to go with read law-related books, there have been plenty of threads on LI previously.
On the other hand, if you want to improve your knowledge of the law itself, just pick up the book(s) & bare act(s) and read it. There is no substitute for this. No course can help you the way books can. So, for eg, if you're in civil litigation, just read up a good book on civil procedure cover-to-cover. Suggestions for these have also been previously posted on LI.
People opening independent offices, listen to this advice. A couple of thousands extra in the initial investment is worth it.
If you're looking to brush up on CPC particularly, read up the following provisions & leading caselaws on that. To find the caselaws, ideally perform a general search on SCC (etc.) and see which are the cases you find quoted the most in recent judgments. For eg, for Order 7 Rule 11, you'd find Sopan Sukhdeo & Dahiben cited in almost every judgment/order on Order 7 Rule 11. Read such judgments.
Here are some such provisions, and the judgments I can remember off the top of my head.
Section 20 - Patel Roadways, Harshad Chimanlal Modi
Order 1 Rule 10
Order 7 Rule 10 - EXL Careers v Frankfinn
Order 7 Rule 11 - Dahiben, Sopan Sukhdeo Sable, RK Roja v UOI
Order 12 Rule 6 - Thangam v Navamani (SC), Suzuki Motor (Del HC)
Order 39 Rules 1 & 2 - Wander v Antox, (Some Bottling Co) v Coca Cola
Read up on Commercial Courts Act! Especially Order XI as amended by it. Very, very critical. Order XIII-A.
Also: Specific Relief Act - Sections 34, 38, 41.
See how suits are to be valued. And remember, Court Fees Act is state-subject. See your state's. In Delhi, the Punjab Amendment from 1960-something applies.
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/458720-book-recommendations-for-a-new-advocate
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/185058-recommended-books-for-disputes
Echoing the previous sentiments, Key to Indian Practice for CPC. If you are familiar with the basic concepts, maybe try reading some commentary/more detailed book cover to cover. It helps. Most of them are not quite good, tbh. Sarkar's Civil Court Practice & Procedure Manual is relatively small in size (1500-2000 pages), but again, not very high quality (not many high quality books in this area).
For arbitration, you can also refer to Redfern & Hunter. Arbitration principles irrespective of jurisdiction are more-or-less the same. As for the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, read the recent significant judgments — Vidya Drollia, Cox & Kings, Gayatri Balasamy. They anyway discuss the prevailing legal position generally and the historical developments.
Generally to brush up on civil law, you can also read up on the relevant judgments prescribed for the AOR Paper-4 (Leading Cases).
Here is the list of cases: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2024/01/2024061128.pdf
Here are the cases, categorised: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/documents/aorexam/22052023_104448.pdf
Based on the categories, I'd say look at Categories V, VI, VIII, XI, XIII.
Here are headnotes of several leading cases, irrespective of the list prescribed above:
Vol. I: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2025/05/2025052943.pdf
Vol. II: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2025/05/2025052839.pdf
Vol. III: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2025/05/2025050838.pdf
Rest, I'd say really depends on what HC you are at. Keep reading up on recent judgments passed by the judges sitting in the relevant roster. If you want general, broad knowledge, you can buy a couple of latest volumes of the court reporter (say, for DHC, DLT - though I strongly dislike reading it for the quality of paper used in comparison to, say, SCC - but SCC doesn't cover HC anyway so moot point).
Hope this helps
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/185058-recommended-books-for-disputes
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/164466-book-recommendations-for-lawyers
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/390352-good-reference-books-for-college
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/233228-reading-list-for-fy-law-students
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/171612-the-best-books-on-constitutional-law
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/319733-recommended-books-for-general-corporate
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/246895-reading-list-for-freshers-to-law-school
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/409507-book-recommendations-on-evidentiary-law-principles
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/198510-projects-lawyers-need-advice
I try to moderate whenever I can. Which, lately, isn't quite often. I have my own litigation practice — that, and other things in life, take up a chunk of my time. I usually open up LI for 2-4 minutes for my 'short breaks' at random moments throughout the day and try to clear the posts.
I believe the other mods would have similar preoccupations in life. I like to mod here because I have been a part of this site for more than 11 (or 12?) years. But at the same time, there are other things in life (work, family) which are more important. My apologies for the delays.
You can't properly draft on an iPad. You can do it if you really want to, but it won't be efficient or quick at all.
iPads make it easier when handling multiple documents/complex casefiles (LiquidText helps!). For simpler cases, say a straightforward writ/bail/suit admission hearing, you can use laptop for sure. But LiquidText makes refering to notes & multiple pages at once far more smoother.
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Under the Letters Patent establishing the HCs of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, the presidency towns as defined in the LP and any law subsequent thereto enjoyed the status of having their disputes directly adjudicated under the Original Side of their respective HCs. This applied to criminal trials as well till it was removed by the CrPC 1973. Today, civil trials still take place in the Original Side of these HCs. This principle has also been incorporated into the Delhi HC.
Regarding why other benches don't enjoy this privilege, it is because they are merely benches set up to deal with Appellate Side matters which arise from certain jurisdictions and for the ease of convenience of the litigants.
I'd be happy to remove the contested tag if there is you have access to any other material that shows the contrary. (any such material would be welcome, in fact, given that every Jindal LLM thread circles back to this every time)
I have been swamped with extra work for the last few days and couldn't moderate at the usual pace. I suppose it's the same for other moderators too.
As regards any fixed time of the day when I moderate - I just do it whenever I find free time. It may be different for other mods.
You may seek leave to withdraw the vakalatnama, that's alright. But withdrawing the petition when the client hasn't told you to? Unbecoming conduct.