Interview / Viva Voce
What the board is assessing
The viva is a suitability test, not a memory test. It checks your application of law, composure, ethics, and awareness of the legal system in Assam.
Core areas
- Your own application and academic record: be ready to explain why you chose law and any gap years.
- Professional ethics: Advocates Act 1961, Bar Council rules, conflict of interest, duty to the court, and contempt.
- Basic procedure: filing of a plaint, bail, framing of charge, appeals, and the BNS/BNSS/BSA framework.
- Assam context: Gauhati High Court’s jurisdiction, the district judiciary, Sixth Schedule areas, the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, and current legal issues in the state.
- Recent developments: data protection, criminal law reform, and constitutional rulings.
Worked example
Question: “Would you defend a person you believe is guilty?” A good answer: yes, because the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial require a defence; the advocate’s duty is to test the prosecution case, not to certify guilt. You may not fabricate evidence or mislead the court. If the client insists on perjury, you should withdraw in the manner permitted by professional rules.
Traps
Bluffing is the biggest mistake: the panel will probe. Do not argue. Do not give a generic “I want to serve society” answer without a concrete reason. Know the difference between the High Court’s original and appellate jurisdiction. Keep answers short and invite the next question.