If courts could speak for themselves, 2025 would have given them plenty to say. Not about the big reforms or the dramatic headlines, but about the everyday realities that unfolded quietly inside courtrooms across the country.
They would probably start with the simplest truth: most disputes that reached them didn’t need to escalate as far as they did. A missed email, an unclear agreement, a delayed payment or a careless message on social media turned into full-blown cases. Judges repeated one line throughout the year “If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist.” It wasn’t said to scold anyone, just to underline how much of litigation still stems from avoidable confusion.
Courts also noticed how quickly people jumped into confrontation. Mediation, negotiation and conversation were often skipped. There’s a sense that people are more connected digitally, yet less willing to resolve things directly. When both sides wait for the other to “make the first move,” the matter ends up in front of a magistrate.
Technology had its own starring role this year. Screenshots were presented as decisive evidence, even when half the conversation was missing. Deepfake clips and edited voice notes made cameo appearances, turning simple disputes into complex ones. Courts found themselves balancing new forms of digital evidence with old-fashioned ideas of intent and credibility.
There were moments of humour too. A property feud triggered by a WhatsApp group argument. A business dispute where both parties insisted the other was responsible but neither could find the signed contract. Small stories, but telling ones.
If courts could offer advice for 2026, it would likely be this:
Be clear. Be patient. Put things in writing. And when in doubt, sort the small issues before they become large ones.
The legal system is evolving, but the lessons from day-to-day matters remain timeless. Behind every file and every case number is a simple human story, often one that could have unfolded very differently with just a little more communication.
— Editor-in-chief
| Rishabh Bitola is an entrepreneur, editor-in-chief, and advocate for accessible and sustainable development. As Editor-in-Chief of Legal Firms Magazine, he brings together diverse perspectives from law, technology, and public policy. He leads multiple ventures across technology, real estate, and healthcare, with a focus on innovation driven by ethics. Beyond business, he writes about equality, digital transformation, and the evolving relationship between people, law, and progress. His editorials and reflections are known for combining legal insight with human understanding, a blend of thought and conscience that defines his voice across every issue. |