What makes a lawyer truly great—knowledge of law, or the character behind the argument?
Advocacy is not merely a profession—it is a calling. The courtroom is not just a battlefield of arguments, but a forum where character, discipline, and integrity matter as much as legal knowledge. Over a century ago, Sir Edward Abbott Parry, a British judge, in his 1912 classic The Seven Lamps of Advocacy, beautifully captured the virtues that ignite great lawyering: Honesty, Courage, Industry, Wit, Eloquence, Judgment, and Fellowship.
Even in today’s India — shaped by digital courts, complex laws, and rising public expectations — Parry’s seven lamps continue to illuminate the path of every successful advocate. The discussion below revisits these timeless virtues with Indian case law, professional ethics, and examples from great Indian lawyers.
1. Honesty: The Lamp That Builds Trust
Honesty is the soul of advocacy. Without sincerity, even the most skilful lawyer crumbles. Courts often remind advocates that they are officers of the court.
In D.P. Chadha v. Triyugi Narain Mishra (2001), the Supreme Court held that advocates must not misrepresent facts or law. Similarly, O.P. Sharma v. High Court of Punjab & Haryana (2011) emphasised that misleading the court amounts to professional misconduct.
The Bar Council of India Rules forbid suppressing material facts, coaching witnesses, or influencing judges (Rules 1 & 15).
Takeaway: Honesty is the anchor of advocacy; without integrity, no argument can stand firm.
2. Courage: The Lamp That Defends Justice
Courage in advocacy is moral strength — the ability to speak the truth despite pressure or consequences. The greatest example is Justice H.R. Khanna’s historic dissent in ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976), where he upheld personal liberty during the Emergency.
Lawyers too exemplify this virtue. In T. Arivandandam v. T.V. Satyapal (1977), Justice Krishna Iyer urged advocates to discourage frivolous litigation, requiring courage to speak against clients’ wrongful intentions.
Takeaway: Courage empowers the advocate to stand for justice, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient.
3. Industry: The Lamp That Powers Mastery
Industry means hard work, thorough preparation, and mastery over both facts and law.
In State of Maharashtra v. Praful Desai (2003), involving video conferencing in criminal trials, the Supreme Court appreciated the counsel’s exhaustive research on comparative legal practices. Similarly, long constitutional hearings (e.g., Ayodhya 2019, Section 377 cases) showcased how extensive preparation shapes judicial outcomes.
Modern industry includes understanding digital evidence, forensic audits, regulatory frameworks (IBC, GST, RERA), and AI-driven research.
Takeaway: Industry is the backbone of advocacy; preparation wins cases far more than natural brilliance.
4. Wit: The Lamp That Sharpens Persuasion
Wit is intellectual sharpness — the ability to think clearly, respond quickly, and guide the court to the crux of the matter.
Indian legal history is rich with witty advocacy. Nani Palkhivala, during the Kesavananda Bharati (1973) hearings, used sharp, concise reasoning to simplify complex constitutional doctrines. Wit helps lawyers navigate difficult benches and turn adverse moments into advantages.
In the era of virtual hearings, wit and agility are indispensable, as courts function at a faster, more concise pace.
Takeaway: Wit allows an advocate to remain alert, adaptable, and persuasive under pressure.
5. Eloquence: The Lamp That Transforms Law Into Influence
Eloquence is not ornate speech — it is structured reasoning, clarity, and the power to make the court understand the justice of one’s cause.
Legendary displays of eloquence include:
- Nani Palkhivala in constitutional cases
- Soli Sorabjee in Menaka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
- Indira Jaising in gender justice matters
- Harish Salve in Kulbhushan Jadhav (ICJ)
- Arguments in Naz Foundation (2009) and Navtej Singh Johar (2018) that reshaped LGBTQ+ rights
Takeaway: Eloquence conveys the moral force behind the argument, enabling the court to see law through the lens of justice.
6. Judgment: The Lamp That Guides Strategy
Judgment is strategic wisdom — knowing what to argue, how much to argue, what to concede, and what to emphasise.
Strategic brilliance shaped R.C. Cooper v. Union of India (1970), where the impact of state action, not its form, guided constitutional interpretation. Advocates must read the bench, prioritise issues, and avoid overwhelming courts with irrelevant citations.
Poor judgment wastes judicial time; good judgment persuades without excess.
Takeaway: Judgment turns an advocate into a strategist, not just a speaker.
7. Fellowship: The Lamp That Upholds the Dignity of the Bar
Fellowship is the spirit of collaboration and respect among advocates. Though courtroom battles are adversarial, relationships among lawyers must remain courteous.
In Ex-Capt. Harish Uppal v. Union of India (2003), the Supreme Court condemned strikes by lawyers, emphasising that professional solidarity must not impede justice.
The BCI Rules insist on maintaining dignity, courtesy, and fairness.
Takeaway: Fellowship sustains the nobility of the profession; a divided Bar weakens the justice system.
| Lamp of Advocacy | Core Meaning | Indian Case Example | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honesty | Integrity, truthfulness | D.P. Chadha v. Triyugi Narain Mishra (2001) | Misrepresentation = misconduct |
| Courage | Moral strength | ADM Jabalpur (1976, Khanna J. dissent) | Upholding liberty in crisis |
| Industry | Diligence, preparation | Praful Desai (2003) | Research shapes precedent |
| Wit | Intellectual sharpness | Kesavananda Bharati (1973, Palkhivala) | Simplifying complexity |
| Eloquence | Persuasive clarity | Menaka Gandhi (1978, Sorabjee) | Expanding Article 21 |
| Judgment | Strategic wisdom | R.C. Cooper (1970) | Focus on impact, not form |
| Fellowship | Collegial respect | Harish Uppal (2003) | Strikes undermine justice |
Relevance of the Seven Lamps in Contemporary India
These principles are more relevant today because:
- Courts increasingly rely on virtual hearings, demanding clarity and agility.
- Technological evidence and AI-based legal research require deeper diligence and judgment.
- Complex laws like IBC, RERA, GST demand hardworking and meticulous preparation.
- Public and media scrutiny requires heightened honesty, integrity, and professional conduct.
- Constitutional cases on privacy, equality, and free speech call for courage and eloquence.
A modern advocate must blend Parry’s virtues with digital-age skills and a strong ethical foundation.
Which lamp do you think today’s Indian lawyers need most in the digital age?
Conclusion
The Seven Lamps of Advocacy are not mere guidelines; they embody the spirit of the legal profession. When honesty grounds an advocate’s conduct, courage fuels their convictions, industry prepares them thoroughly, wit sharpens their presence, eloquence strengthens their voice, judgment shapes their strategy, and fellowship dignifies their relationships — advocacy transcends argumentation and becomes a service to justice.
An advocate who lights all seven lamps contributes not only to individual cases but to the strengthening of India’s democratic and judicial fabric.
References
- ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla, (1976) 2 SCC 521.
- D.P. Chadha v. Triyugi Narain Mishra, (2001) 2 SCC 221.
- O.P. Sharma v. High Court of Punjab & Haryana, (2011) 6 SCC 86.
- T. Arivandandam v. T.V. Satyapal, (1977) 4 SCC 467.
- State of Maharashtra v. Praful Desai, (2003) 4 SCC 601.
- Ex-Capt. Harish Uppal v. Union of India, (2003) 2 SCC 45.
- Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, (1973) 4 SCC 225.
- R.C. Cooper v. Union of India, (1970) 1 SCC 248.
- Naz Foundation v. NCT of Delhi, 160 DLT 277 (2009).
- Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, (2018) 10 SCC 1.
- Menaka Gandhi v. Union of India, (1978) 1 SCC 248.
- Bar Council of India – Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette, Part VI, Chapter II, BCI Rules.
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Dr. Ganesh Visavale 