The outstanding lawyers of India uphold the law and focus on providing justice to the needy. They treat every client with equal respect and consider each case equally important. These lawyers hold the entire court in awe with their fabulous argument skills. They are responsible towards delivering timely and quality justice.
One such dedicated lawyer who never gives up and fights each case with zeal and dedication is none other than Pakhi Garg. She serves as the Advisor & IPR Chief of World Cyber Security Forum (WCSF), Delhi.
In an interview with Insights Success, Ms. Pakhi shares about her journey, her motivation, the various challenges that she has faced throughout her career, and her future plans. To know more about Ms Pakhi, read the following interview:
1. Enlighten us with your professional journey into the legal paradigm.
After my graduation from Nainital (Kumaun University) in 2015 I did my PG in Cyber Laws from Indian Law Institute (ILI) in 2016 & then i completed my LLB (H) from Amity Law School, Noida in 2019.
My professional journey started in July 2019 (just after my LLB) and I was placed as a legal consultant in PwC India in Gurgoan. In the same year, i also joined my friends’ techno legal consultancy named, World Cyber Security Forum as an “Advisor & IPR chief” which is a NPO and we are still running our organization that aims in creating cyber awareness to the netizens.
Then, after approx. 8 months of my service with PwC, I switched to Singh & Associates in Gurgoan till 2021.
Then, I received a job offer from Gartner India in Gurgaon & I am currently working there as an in-house counsel.
2. What motivated or inspired you to be in the legal space?
Since my childhood, I was fascinated with the way lawyers & advocates dress & argue in the court of law. Then when I grew up I wanted to opt for criminal litigation as that was the only thing I know till the time I get myself admitted in the law school. But, there I got a lot of new prospective & during the law school I participated under many activities like: mock trials, moots were the reasons that enhanced my skills and made me love law even more. Another credit goes to my law school professors like: Mrunal D. Buva ma’am (Practicing Advocate, Supreme Court of India) as she was the first person who introduced the segment of law to me during my PG Program. Then other professors of mine like: Dr. BhavnaBatra, Ms. Palka Rishi, Ms Swati Kaushal, Ms. KalpanaJayas, Mr. Vibhor Gupta etc. encouraged me to do better & better. And even my learned friends like: Dr. Nachiketa Mittal &Ms Megha Ahuja are also the people who helped me out in every sphere of not just professional but personal life. Their teachings were a lifetime lessons for me and whatever small I have done so far is because of all these people.
3. Kindly talk about the various or specialized legal offerings, solutions, or services that you provide to your clientele.
World Cyber Security Forum is a techno legal consultancy that aims in creating cyber awareness for netizens. As WCSF is a NPO, hence we offer services like: Cyber Counselling, Techno Legal Consultancy, Contract Administration, Workshops, Trainings, Courses, Webinars with subject matter experts to encourage people to join us and make this digital place a better & safe world. Our team possess highly experienced & learned academicians, professors, practicing advocates, cyber security analysts etc.
4. As a lawyer, what challenges have you faced in this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic?
During pandemic, the major challenge was working remotely and on the initial stage it was absolutely hectic & chaotic. Clients were also facing the issue in getting connected with us as not everyone is tech friendly. But now, it has become a trend & part of the life. So, still copping up with this work style. Financial aid was another major challenge but slowly and gradually everything is shaping up on its own.
5. How technological advancements in the legal space has helped you in overcoming those challenges?
Thanks to all the video conferencing apps & other apps that has actually helped us in working remotely. Because before covid era, we hardly use apps for video calls but now your work is based on them& the growing tech has really made it swift as for every purpose we have various apps & that’s the amazing part of the technology. Like: If someone wants to fix an appointment with me, I use “Calendly” app for it as it is very reliable and easy to go app. The user will also get the notification of the appointment fixed by the client & the client is also free to take the appointment as per his own availability and convenience. Besides that other apps are also playing major role in easing my work life.
6. How legal practice has evolved over the period of time? Are there any significant changes?
The court is working hard to deliver the justice in a time bound manner. Previously, there were a fixed working hours for the court but now they have worked harder even whole nights and gave some landmark judgements. The competition is high & growing day by day which is also encouraging judicial officers, advocates and other staff members to update & upgrade themselves. The corporates are actually investing their resources in training their employees which is a biggest effort from their side. They are giving them the opportunity to prove themselves in the work place & many are still working hard to prove their worth. These are some significant changes. The law schools & colleges are also understanding the worth of practical knowledge hence they are also calling some eminent spokesperson to share their knowledge with their students.
7. What advice would you give to the aspiring legal enthusiasts who are willing to become lawyers and step into the legal space today?
I really wish to share these points:
- Focus on the societal issues & try to take relevant action.
- Read a lot and learn as much as you can.
- Have confidence & patience.
- Work on the basics of law.
- Start researching through validated sources.
- Be punctual & ready to take & face challenges.
- Open yourself to explore this field.
8. Where does your endeavors lead you to in the coming years? Kindly talk about your future scenario.
We are rigorously working hard to create the cyber awareness amongst netizens & hence we are coming up with various workshops, training that focuses on the practical aspect that needs to be taken care. We also emphasis on the corporate trainings. In near future, our trainings will be focused on the teenagers & women to make them understand the correct usage of the internet. Along with that, we will be coming up with the journal publication where all the cyber enthusiasts will be able to read & share their blogs and research work with us.
9. What is the current scenario of the Indian Legal Space according to you?
The coronavirus pandemic has caused lockdowns in various countries around the world, disrupting all aspects of life including India’s legal landscape for an uncertain time. It has shed a harsh light on the outdated way of administering justice, teaching law, and providing legal services. In 2016, in the memorable judgment of Anita Kushwaha v Pushap Sudan, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of India ruled that access to justice is a fundamental right guaranteed by article 14 of the Indian Constitution. I steadfastly accept that even in a state of flux caused by the lockdown, access to justice has not been impeded, and the swift response by embracing technology and formulating electronic courts and video conferencing is a step forward and much more positive than no access to justice amidst coronavirus pandemic.
The Indian legal system is no stranger to technology and has constantly kept abreast of the latest technological developments. For example, the advent of the Internet and information technology resulted in the enactment of a new statute, namely the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the amendments to the centuries-old Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Recent steps towards the digitization of justice and court administration are establishing virtual courts and electronic filings.
Electronic courts were launched as part of the National P e-Governance Plan (NeGP) in 2006. However, the sudden and surprising arrival of the COVID-19 emergency has given a more prominent fillip in achieving a quick change in the mode of administration of the courts in the country. We have also seen the rise of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in India during the pandemic.
Not all are familiar with these advances, yet the current conditions demand that we become, or at least that we make efforts because the near future will be the time of technology. The administration of courts in India after the advent of the COVID-19 crisis has certainly accelerated the shift to e-justice even though many challenges are being faced.
