Importance of Reading Trial Courts Judgments (LITIGATION BASICS 2)

The reading and understanding the judgments is an essential task for law students and lawyers in the legal practice. Judgment reading is an art and it develops through practice.

Everyone is aware about the reading of Supreme Court and High Court judgments. Reading of trial courts judgments has its own advantages. Judgements of Supreme Court and High court mostly deals with question of law and interpretation of law on the other side judgements of trial courts deals with application of law on the basis of facts and circumstances of each cases.

The strategy of the trial court practice is different from the higher court practice. The trial court practice requires understanding of practical use of substantive and procedural laws along with practicality of evidence law.

Therefore reading of trial Court judgements is helpful (especially to law students and new lawyers) to learn Trial court procedure.

(1) Understanding how actual trials are conducted

Reading of trial court judgments helps to understand how actual trial is conducted taking into consideration of facts of the case, evidence, witnesses, judicial precedents etc.

(2) Understanding of Practical use of substantive law

Example –

1. In criminal trial determining why particular provisions of IPC is applicable instead of other provisions on the basis of facts and evidence in the case.

(3) Understanding of Practical use of procedural law (CPC and CrPC)

Example –

1. Understanding of various Stages in civil and criminal Trial
2. Different Forms of petitions used in trial
3. Use of different Applications at a particular stage of trial
4. Framing of issues in civil cases and Framing of Charges in Criminal Cases

(4) Understanding of Practical use of evidence law

Example –

1. Understanding various types of evidence required in trial to prove the case                                                 
2. Understanding the authenticity of particular evidence
3. Procedure of putting evidence before the court (exhibiting evidence)

(5) Understanding of Examination and cross examinations of witnesses

Examination of witness is an art of advocacy. Questions asked in examination and cross examination is recorded in trial court judgments. It can helps to understand which types of questions should be asked during examination of witnesses.

(6) Understanding of Arguments of parties in the cases

Generally arguments are based on facts and circumstances of the case along with support of relevant statutory provisions and judicial precedents. It helps to understand applicability of particular statutory provisions and precedent on the basis of facts of the case.

(7) Understanding of Application of judicial mind

At the end of trial, court delivers its judgment. Therefore reading of trial judgments helps to understand how courts apply their judicial mind on the basis of facts and evidence available before court to reach at conclusion.