Model format of written arguments

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Mst. Kiran Chhabra and Anr.v. Mr. Pawan Kumar Jain and Ors.

J.R. Midha, J.

1. Learned Counsel for the plaintiff has filed the brief note of submissions. However, the learned Counsel has utterly failed to address the number of judgments relating to the issues involved. Some of the relevant judgments in this regard to the notice of this Court are Harshad Chiman Lal Modi v. DLF Universal and Anr., MANU/SC/0710/2005 : AIR 2005 SC 4446, Shri Sant Singh v. Shri K.G. Ringshia, CS(OS) No. 2011/1984 decided on 24th May, 2010, Splendor Landbase Limited v. Mirage Infra Limited and Anr., CS(OS) No. 582/2009 decided on 8th February, 2010 and Splendor Landbase Limited v. Mirage Infra Limited and Anr., FAO(OS) No. 150/2010 decided on 9th April, 2010.

2. When the Court calls for written arguments to be submitted, it is expected to be something as would assist the Court in its endeavour to do justice and decide the case. Simply filing a list of judgments and attaching photocopies does not assist the Court nor does filing long-winded arguments which are not structured and properly arranged.

3. Written arguments, which Order XVIII Rule 2(3A) of the Code of Code of Civil Procedure also recognizes, ought to be such that would assist the Court. The pattern would vary from case to case but generally Written Arguments should comprise a very brief list of dates, the admitted facts and the disputed facts. The points to be decided should be duly formulated as questions or propositions. In case issues have been framed, separate arguments on each issue are necessary unless two or more issues are such which can be more conveniently addressed together. The factual premises on which a particular argument is given has to be stated on each issue so that the proposition can be appreciated in that light.

4. For each proposition, after stating the factual premises on which a particular argument is given, there should be first the applicable statute which can even be excerpted. Only then, case law may be cited not just as the legal database on a computer shows up on a query; but each judgment has to be examined and only the more relevant ones for each topic be cited. The Court expects the lawyers to place all case laws, both for and against his case, so long as it is relevant to the proposition in question. Those from the Supreme Court be placed first; those from our High Court be placed next; and those from other High Courts be placed thereafter. In each grouping, the judgments are to be arranged in a reverse chronological order. This is in line with the law relating to precedents. Thereafter, for each decided case which appears to be important, a brief resume of the factual scenario in which the judgment was rendered, is necessary where after the relevant portion can be excerpted or described.

5. If there are older judgments which have been noticed in a later judgment, then the older judgment need not be cited. But if the later judgment merely follows and says nothing new, then the older judgment, which contains the reasoning and also lays down the law, should be cited and against the first (later judgment) it ought to be noted that it simply follows or approves a particular earlier judgment. In that event, the earlier judgment may be excerpted or discussed together with a brief resume of the factual scenario in that case.

6. After the judgments have been cited or portions excerpted, the ratio-decided of the judgment needs to be stated, for, it is the ratio-decided and not the conclusion, that is binding as a precedent.

7. If there is a contention of the opposite side, it must be answered, and not ignored or left for the court to look for an answer. When all the points or proposition on which the arguments are addressed have been stated, there has to be a summing up so that the Court can get a fair idea of what the arguments are leading to.

8. Throughout these written arguments, page numbers and placitums of the documents or other material on the court record, and the reported judgment, must be given so that the Court can readily reach it in order to verify.

9. Lastly, keeping them brief is more helpful than giving a long mass of something which could even be incoherent. Structuring is most important. If an approach as this followed, the Court gets full assistance, much lesser time of the Court is consumed, and there is less likelihood of the Court falling into error.

10. The parties are directed to file the written submissions not exceeding five pages on the above terms along with the copies of the judgments with relevant portions highlighted for the convenience of the court at least one week before the next date of hearing. The photocopies of the relevant pages of the documents already on record with relevant portions highlighted be also attached to the written submissions for ready reference and convenience of the Court.

11. List on 14th March, 2011.

12. Copy of this order be given 'Dasti' to learned Counsel for both parties under signature of Court Master

A legal argument is a group of evidence that gives reasons why an audience should support your case. A legal argument can be either written or oral, and is used in debate and in legal proceedings. To write a legal argument, you weigh legal principles and rules and balance them to prove your case. You construct your theory through legal reasoning and prove your case using legal evidence, laws and logic. Get right to the point in your legal argument, and do not pad the writing with unnecessary details.

Instructions

o    Identify your audience and adapt the tone of your paper to your audience. Keep your tone rational, so you encourage your audience to reason with you. Do not force your point of view on your audience, but encourage them to see your point.

o    Summarize the case and legal issues in your first paragraph or introduction section. Be brief and get to the point quickly. This paragraph should be an overview and does not include the intricate details of each issue. Include the background of the case or issue, all the facts, any decisions from the court and your analysis. Provide your conclusion in the end of your introduction and create a transition to your first point.

o    Explore your first issue in the next paragraph or section. Explore the intricacies of the issue and case, but do not add unnecessary details.

o    Research the state, federal or case law that applies to the issue and supports your case. Add several examples if they are available, and give the details of each case from case law and how they apply, but limit your evidence to the strongest examples and arguments. Explore your strongest evidence first. Explain how the case fits as evidence to support your side of the issue.

o    End the paragraph or section with a thought-provoking question. When you ask a question, you do not push your view onto your audience, but encourage the reader to think about the details.

o    Create a transition to the next issue that briefly summarizes the first point and introduces the next point.

o    Repeat steps two and three until all you cover all the issues.

o    Anticipate your opponent's case and address those issues in the writing. You can add the anticipated arguments into your paragraphs if they match your topics. Or create a new section. Don't ignore any cases that oppose your case. Briefly cover the case or law. Explain it, but distinguish it from the points in your case to create a strong argument against the use of the case or law from the opposing side.

o    Create headings and subheadings to alert your reader that you are covering a new topic.

o    Insert a conclusion that briefly restates your case. Outline what the you want from the judge, jury, professor or audience.

o    Add footnotes for research you used.