Importance of Reading Trial Courts Judgments (LITIGATION BASICS 2)

Reading and understanding judgments is an essential task for law students and practicing lawyers. Judgment reading is an art that develops with continuous practice. While much emphasis is placed on reading judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts, trial court judgments are often ignored by law students and junior advocates on the ground that they do not ordinarily constitute binding precedents and are always subject to appeal or revision; however, such judgments are indispensable for understanding trial court procedure and the actual working of trials in practice.

Judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts primarily deal with questions of law and interpretation of statutory provisions, whereas trial court judgments focus on the application of law to facts, appreciation of evidence, and procedural compliance. Trial courts are the forums where facts are proved, evidence is tested, and witnesses are examined. Therefore, trial court practice requires a thorough understanding of substantive law, procedural law, and the law of evidence in their practical application.

(1) Understanding How Actual Trials Are Conducted

Reading trial court judgments helps in understanding how an actual trial proceeds—from pleadings to evidence, examination of witnesses, arguments, and final adjudication. Such judgments demonstrate how courts assess facts, weigh evidence, and apply judicial precedents to real-life disputes.

 

(2) Understanding the Practical Application of Substantive Law

Trial court judgments illustrate how substantive laws are applied based on the facts and evidence of each case.

Example:
In criminal trials, trial court judgments explain why a particular provision of the Indian Penal Code is invoked instead of another, based on the nature of allegations, evidence produced, and intent attributed to the accused.

 

(3) Understanding the Practical Application of Procedural Law (CPC and CrPC/BNSS)

Trial court judgments provide practical exposure to procedural law, including:

1.      Different stages of civil and criminal trials

2.      Various forms of pleadings and petitions used at the trial stage

3.      Use of interlocutory applications at appropriate stages

4.      Framing of issues in civil cases and framing of charges in criminal cases

This understanding is critical for effective trial preparation and case management.

 

(4) Understanding the Practical Application of the Law of Evidence

Trial court judgments are an excellent source for understanding evidence law in practice, including:

1.      Types of evidence required to prove a case

2.      Determination of admissibility and authenticity of evidence

3.      Procedure for producing and exhibiting documents and material objects before the court

 

(5) Understanding Examination and Cross-Examination of Witnesses

Examination and cross-examination of witnesses are core aspects of advocacy. Trial court judgments often record questions put to witnesses and the answers elicited. Studying these judgments helps in understanding:

·         Effective questioning techniques

·         How contradictions are brought on record

·         How credibility of witnesses is assessed by the court

 

(6) Understanding the Arguments Advanced by Parties

Trial court judgments reflect how parties structure their arguments based on facts, statutory provisions, and judicial precedents. This assists in understanding:

·         Application of legal provisions to factual situations

·         Relevance of precedents at the trial stage

·         Manner of addressing evidentiary and procedural issues

 

(7) Understanding the Application of Judicial Mind

At the conclusion of a trial, the court applies its judicial mind to the facts, evidence, and arguments before delivering its judgment. Reading trial court judgments helps in understanding:

·         How findings of fact are arrived at

·         How evidence is appreciated

·         How conclusions are logically drawn

This insight is crucial for drafting pleadings, preparing arguments, and formulating grounds of appeal.