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I think punctuality is one aspect of professional discipline that lawyers, particularly those who practise in court, should pay more attention to. Arriving early is not just about avoiding the embarrassment of being called out for lateness. It comes with several advantages. It gives you the comfort of choosing where to sit, finding a convenient corner, and arranging your books and processes properly instead of struggling for space or having to put some of them on the floor. It also gives you room for the unexpected. Traffic, vehicle breakdowns and other inconveniences can happen on the way to court. Leaving early gives you some allowance for these things. More importantly, it gives you an opportunity to have one last look at your processes, confirm that you have the necessary documents and authorities, and remember the Rules of Court you may have left behind. It is better to discover these things before proceedings commence than when your matter is called. Being early also allows you to observe proceedings in other matters, appreciate the temperament and style of the court, and learn how the judge conducts proceedings. It communicates respect for the Bench, your colleagues and the court's time. A lawyer who consistently arrives early earns a certain professional regard. A judge once refused an application to foreclose a Defendant because, according ot his lordship: "It is unusual for Mr. X to be late to court, let alone not turning up at in court". Beyond that, the fate of clients and their matters often lies in the hands of their lawyers. It would be distressing for a lawyer and his client to discover that an appeal or application has been struck out, or adjourned for months or even years, simply because counsel failed to arrive on time. A client should not bear the consequences of avoidable professional lateness. I remember a day my team and I were wondering whether a particular team of opposing lawyers would make it to court. A colleague assured me they would, but added that we should already know they were never early. They had built such a reputation for lateness that their eventual arrival was predictable, but their punctuality was not. It made me think about the professional reputation our habits create for us and how such reputation precedes us. There is also the need to settle down from whatever happened on the way to court and assume your proper element before proceedings begin. You should not be carrying the agitation of the road into the courtroom. Imagine rushing to court after a keke bashed your car to hear that the matter just called is yours. You cannot be at your best. Some years ago, at the Court of Appeal, Ekiti Division, I stepped out to use the restroom after arriving early. I was rushing back into the courtroom when one of their Lordships looked up and said: "Ogundipe, welcome from the farm." I knew something was wrong with my appearance. A few seconds later, I realised that the long rope on my gown, which ought to run from my shoulders to my knee, had flown to my back and was dancing behind me as I walked in. I was not late. But rushing back into court had denied me the opportunity to check myself properly. Imagine what happens to a lawyer who arrives late and has to rush straight into proceedings. A poorly worn gown, misplaced bib or out-of-place stud could easily escape notice, when a colleague might otherwise have spotted and corrected it. Punctuality gives you time to prepare, observe, correct and settle down. Even the most punctual lawyer can encounter unforeseen circumstances, but that is why we should leave ourselves some allowance. It is better to have time you do not need than to need time you do not have. In court, being early is an advantage. Give yourself that advantage.