I am not a lawyer. Like most readers of this magazine, I encounter the law as a citizen, not as a practitioner. My understanding comes from reading judgments, following legal news, and observing how laws affect ordinary lives when relationships fall apart.
What stands out most is not the complexity of law, but how often people underestimate it.
In reported cases, a familiar pattern appears again and again. Relationships break down long before legal action begins. By the time the law enters the picture, positions have hardened, communication has collapsed, and decisions are driven more by emotion than foresight. The legal process then becomes a stage for conflict rather than resolution.
From a citizen’s perspective, one uncomfortable truth becomes clear. Many disputes are not worsened by the law itself, but by delayed understanding of it. People often treat legal awareness as something needed only after damage is done. By then, choices are limited and consequences unavoidable.
Another recurring observation comes from reading case records and court summaries. What people believe to be the “main issue” is often not what the court focuses on. Courts look at consistency, documentation, conduct, and timelines. Emotional narratives matter far less than people expect.
There is also a noticeable gap between how law is discussed socially and how it functions institutionally. Advice circulates freely in families, social media groups, and online forums. Much of it is confident, well-meaning, and legally inaccurate. Acting on such advice may feel empowering in the moment, but it often creates long-term problems that no amount of emotion can undo.
This is where early awareness matters. Not to escalate disputes, but to slow them down.
As an editor, what concerns me most is how rarely legal literacy is treated as a life skill. We teach people to manage money, careers, and health, but not how personal decisions intersect with law. The result is surprise, frustration, and distrust when legal processes unfold as designed, not as imagined.
Law is not distant. It is already present in everyday choices. Ignoring that reality does not make it kinder when it finally asserts itself.
This column is not an argument against relationships, emotions, or trust. It is a reminder that awareness is not cynicism. It is my responsibility.
As citizens, we may not practice law.
But we live with its consequences every day.
Thank you for reading, and for staying curious. That, in itself, is a strong starting point.
— Editor-in-chief
| Rishabh Bitola is an entrepreneur, editor-in-chief, and multi-sector business leader whose work sits at the intersection of law, enterprise, and social responsibility. As the Editor-in-Chief of Legal Firms Magazine, he curates voices from law, policy, business, and technology to make legal awareness more accessible, relevant, and grounded in real-world impact. With entrepreneurial interests spanning technology, healthcare, real estate, and manpower solutions, Rishabh has consistently focused on building ventures that balance growth with ethics. His work reflects a strong belief that businesses succeed best when they are rooted in transparency, accountability, and long-term societal value. Academically, he holds an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology and is an alumnus of Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology and the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi. This blend of technical grounding and management education shapes his structured yet people-first approach to leadership. Beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, Rishabh is deeply interested in questions of equality, digital transformation, and how law shapes everyday life. He has a keen appreciation for Hindi poetry, often drawing inspiration from it to reflect on justice, resilience, and human dignity. His writing is known for its calm authority and empathy, combining legal insight with lived understanding rather than abstraction. Across his editorial work and business ventures, Rishabh Bitola is driven by a simple philosophy: progress must be inclusive, systems must remain humane, and law should serve people before it governs them. |