Learn the Art and Ethics of Advocacy from a Former Judge and a Renowned Advocate: Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer's Book Review
Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer's Book on Advocacy: A Review
If you are an advocate or a law student who wants to learn more about the art and ethics of advocacy, you might want to check out Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer's book on "Professional Conduct and Advocacy". This book, written by a former judge and a renowned advocate, is a classic guide that covers everything you need to know about the duties, responsibilities, and skills of an advocate in India. In this article, we will review the contents, themes, and insights of this book, and why it is a must-read for anyone who wants to excel in the legal profession.
mr. krishnamurthy iyer book on advocacy
Who is Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer and what is his book about?
Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer, also known as K.V. Krishnaswami Aiyar, was a distinguished lawyer, judge, scholar, and author who had a long and illustrious career in the Indian legal system. He was born in 1871 in Tamil Nadu and graduated from Madras University with a degree in law. He practiced as an advocate in Madras High Court for over three decades, specializing in civil, criminal, constitutional, and tax matters. He was also appointed as a judge of the same court in 1936 and served until his retirement in 1943.
During his tenure as an advocate and a judge, he earned a reputation for his integrity, eloquence, erudition, and impartiality. He was also known for his passion for legal education and research. He wrote several books and articles on various aspects of law, such as precedent, contempt, accountancy, taxation, Hindu law, etc. His most famous work is "Professional Conduct and Advocacy", which he first published in 1945 and revised several times until his death in 1953.
This book is divided into two parts: Part I deals with professional conduct and Part II deals with advocacy. In Part I, he discusses the ethical principles and rules that govern the behavior of advocates towards the court, the client, the opponent, the profession, and themselves. In Part II, he explains the art and science of advocacy, covering topics such as preparation, examination, argumentation, etc. He also provides practical tips and examples from his own experience and from famous cases.
What are the contents and structure of the book?
The book consists of ten chapters that are organized as follows:
Part
Chapter
Title
I
1
The Advocate's Duty to the Court
2
The Advocate's Duty to the Client
3
The Advocate's Duty to the Opponent
4
The Advocate's Duty to the Profession
5
The Advocate's Duty to Himself
II
6
The Art of Advocacy
7
The Preparation of a Case
8
The Examination of Witnesses
9
The Argument of a Case
10
The Ethics of Advocacy
What are the main themes and insights of the book?
The book is full of valuable lessons and insights that can help any advocate or law student improve their professional conduct and advocacy skills. Some of the main themes and insights are:
The importance of professional ethics and conduct for advocates. Mr. Iyer emphasizes that advocates are not mere agents or mouthpieces of their clients, but officers of the court and guardians of justice. They have a duty to uphold the dignity, integrity, and independence of the legal profession and to respect the law, the court, the judges, the opponents, and the public. He warns against the pitfalls of dishonesty, corruption, misconduct, negligence, and incompetence that can tarnish the reputation and credibility of advocates and undermine the administration of justice.
The principles and techniques of effective advocacy. Mr. Iyer explains that advocacy is both an art and a science that requires a combination of knowledge, skill, logic, eloquence, tact, and personality. He outlines the steps and methods involved in preparing, presenting, and arguing a case, such as collecting facts, researching law, framing issues, drafting pleadings, examining witnesses, citing authorities, etc. He also gives practical advice on how to deal with different types of cases, judges, juries, witnesses, opponents, etc. He illustrates his points with anecdotes and illustrations from his own practice and from famous cases.
The challenges and opportunities for advocates in India. Mr. Iyer acknowledges that advocates in India face many difficulties and obstacles in their profession, such as inadequate infrastructure, complex procedures, heavy workload, low remuneration, unfair competition, etc. However, he also points out that advocates in India have many advantages and opportunities as well, such as a rich legal heritage, a vibrant democracy, a diverse society, a growing economy, etc. He encourages advocates to overcome their challenges and seize their opportunities by constantly updating their knowledge, improving their skills, expanding their horizons, and serving their clients and society with dedication and excellence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer's book on "Professional Conduct and Advocacy" is a comprehensive and authoritative guide that covers all aspects of the legal profession in India. It is a treasure trove of wisdom and experience that can benefit anyone who wants to learn more about the art and ethics of advocacy. It is also a testament to the legacy and vision of Mr. Iyer himself, who was one of the most respected and influential lawyers and judges in Indian history.
If you are interested in reading this book, you can buy it online from Amazon or other sellers. You can also find it in some libraries or borrow it from someone who has it. You will not regret reading this book as it will enrich your knowledge and enhance your skills as an advocate or a law student.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about this book:
Where can I buy this book?You can buy this book online from Amazon or other sellers. You can also check if it is available in your local bookstore or online library.
When was this book published and updated?This book was first published I have already written the article as you requested. Here is the rest of it: in 1945 and revised several times until his death in 1953. The latest edition was published in 2007 by Read Books.
Who is the author and what are his credentials?The author is Mr. Krishnamurthy Iyer, also known as K.V. Krishnaswami Aiyar, who was a distinguished lawyer, judge, scholar, and author who had a long and illustrious career in the Indian legal system. He was born in 1871 in Tamil Nadu and graduated from Madras University with a degree in law. He practiced as an advocate in Madras High Court for over three decades, specializing in civil, criminal, constitutional, and tax matters. He was also appointed as a judge of the same court in 1936 and served until his retirement in 1943. He wrote several books and articles on various aspects of law, such as precedent, contempt, accountancy, taxation, Hindu law, etc.
How is this book different from other books on advocacy and professional conduct?This book is different from other books on advocacy and professional conduct because it is written by a former judge and a renowned advocate who had firsthand experience and expertise in both fields. It is also one of the oldest and most authoritative books on the subject that covers all aspects of the legal profession in India. It is written in a clear, concise, and engaging style that combines theory and practice, principles and examples, wisdom and humor.
What are some other books or resources that can help me improve my advocacy skills?Some other books or resources that can help you improve your advocacy skills are:
"The Art of Cross-Examination" by Francis L. Wellman
"The Art of Advocacy: Briefs, Motions, and Writing Strategies of America's Best Lawyers" by Noah A. Messing
"Advocacy Skills for Lawyers: A Practical Guide" by Munish Bhandari
"Advocacy: A Practical Guide for Lawyers" by David Ross QC
"Advocates for International Development: A Guide to Advocacy" by Advocates for International Development
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new from it. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and attention. 71b2f0854b