XLVI. CLIENTS TURNED
CO-WORKERS
The distinction between the legal practice in Natal
and that in the Transvaal was that in Natal there was a
joint bar; a barrister, whilst he was admitted to the
rank of advocate, could also practise as an attorney;
whereas in the Transvaal, as in Bombay, the spheres of
attorneys and advocates were distinct. A barrister had
the right of election whether he would practise as an
advocate or as an attorney. So whilst in Natal I was
admitted as an advocate, in the Transvaal I sought
admission as an attorney. For as an advocate I could not
have come in direct contact with the Indians and the
white attorneys in South Africa would not have briefed
me.
But even in the Transvaal it was open to attorneys to
appear before magistrates. On one occasion, whilst I was
conducting a case before a magistrate in Johannesburg, I
discovered that my client had deceived me. I saw him
completely break down in the witness box. So without any
argument I asked the magistrate to dismiss the case. The
opposing counsel was astonished, and the magistrate was
pleased. I rebuked my client for bringing a false case to
me. He knew that I never accepted false cases, and when I
brought the thing home to him, he admitted his mistake,
and I have an impression that he was not angry with me
for having asked the magistrate to decide against him. At
any rate my conduct in this case did not affect my
practice for the worse, indeed it made my work easier. I
also saw that my devotion to truth enhanced my reputation
amongst the members of the profession, and in spite of
the handicap of colour I was able in some cases to win
even their affection.
During my professional work it was also my habit never
to conceal my ignorance from my clients or my colleagues.
Wherever I felt myself at sea, I would advise my client
to consult some other counsel, or if he preferred to
stick to me, I would ask him to let me seek the
assistance of senior counsel. This frankness earned me
the unbounded affection and trust of my clients. They
were always willing to pay the fee whenever consultation
with senior counsel was necessary. This affection and
trust served me in good stead in my public work.
I have indicated in the foregoing chapters that my
object in practising in South Africa was service of the
community. Even for this purpose, winning the confidence
of the people was an indispensable condition. The large
hearted Indian magnified into service professional work
done for money, and when I advised them to suffer the
hardships of imprisonment for the sake of their rights,
many of them cheerfully accepted the advice, not so much
because they had reasoned out the correctness of the
course, as because of their confidence in, and affection
for, me.
As I write this, many a sweet reminiscence comes to my
mind. Hundreds of clients became friends and real
co-workers in public service, and their association
sweetened a life that was otherwise full of difficulties
and dangers.
|
