Like flies to wanton boys

The state of judiciary in Pakistan is not a hidden secret. It comes with its inconsistencies, its defects and its vulnerabilities. Muddled with incoherence and unreliability, it continues to provide surprises. Nonetheless, it’s the doors of the courts that citizens knock when misfortunate befalls them. It’s the doors of the courts that parliamentarians knock when fate befalls them.

The judiciary, as we know, is run by the divine creatures in gowns and the mystic mortals in suits. Both of whom adhere to a written code, or so we like to believe. Although there exist enclaves within this realm who don’t believe in either the written code of legality or morality. Surprisingly, the enclave seems to exceed the regular bout.

The legal landscape in our country continues to be dominated by a handful of big names who have been ruling their respective dynasties for years. The compartments of their dynasties continue to expand with each injunction, with each judgement and with each big money law suit.

And rightly so, the young guns opt to build their little civilisations within these dynasties.

Coupled with grandiose promises of broad horizons and monetary benefits, the newcomers work around the clock, at minimum remuneration to believe that they will achieve what they dreamed of, just to realise the grass isn’t as green as they thought it was. And this is where the debate begins. Are young lawyers not paid enough? Is there no respect for one’s time? Should I stop accommodating work related calls after 7pm? Where do you draw the line between private and professional life? Do I have to wait for my boss to leave before I head out?

Agreed, hard work will get you to places. But is working 12 hours a day for years and years really a smart call? That too at minimum remuneration in times where heightened inflation, rising costs of living and economic uncertainty add insult to injury?

The ones I know have been working as law associates for years and years without promotions, without perks, with no days off and at salaries lower than one can think of while the big boys earn the big bucks, work four hours a day blowing the smoke.

Universally, countries and companies tend to ensure that their second line is in the making. Football clubs have academies, companies have trainees and countries have educational institutions, unless you’re a club like Manchester United who buys players and ruins their careers (see what I did there?).

The point is, big companies, especially law firms, have to realise that their old men cannot go on forever. At one point, preparations have to be put in place for the second line of lawyers to take over and do the job at least half as good as the veterans once did. And that cannot be done if work commences at 5pm and wraps up at 1am. No individual in their right mind would work those hours every day. Unless they’re lonely or miserable. Or both.

You can build your dynasty, but you need your academy players ready to take over at some point. Give them the chance to argue in courts. If you need someone to update you as to which case is proceeding, hire a clerk instead. Don’t ruin someone’s career.

The pay needs to increase, the hours need to improve and respect has to be given to the young ones who have just started. Gone are the days when verbal abuse was glorified at the hands of seniors.

About time we change the culture of overworking and underpaying and it is now inevitable that a second line of lawyers be produced who not only obtain injunction orders and disappear but those who actually argue matters till conclusion.

“Soon the science will be able to fix the cells to the state so we become eternal” (King Lear by Shakespeare).

Unfortunately, we are not King Lear and the gods aren’t Shakespeare. Downfall, like taxes, is inevitable.

Prepare your second line of lawyers before your dynasty falls.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2024.

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