MODIFICATION OF ADVOCATES DRESS CODE.

Supreme court through its circular modifies the dress code for the advocates who represent before the Supreme Court of India via Virtual Court System till the medical emergency exists or until the further orders.

The circular directs that the advocates may “wear plain white shirt/ white salwar kameez/ white saree, with plain white neck band”

The background, amid pandemic situation when the country India, imposed a lockdown. Most of the courts preferred to go for Virtual Court System for some immediate and important matters.

Meanwhile on 17^th April 2020, Justice S.P Sharma High Court of Rajasthan adjourned the matter affronting the “advocate’s inappropriate attire” such that the lawyers must maintain the decorum of the court while representing their clients. As the facts stand in that hearing the learned counsel appeared before the court via video conference was seen wearing an undervest locally known as ‘baniyan’. The Court noted that during this Pandemic where the Court functioning is done via video conferencing the lawyers must appear in proper uniform.

The Law which you need to know,

Part VI: Chapter IV of Bar Council of India Rules: Rules under Section 49(1) (gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961.

I. Advocates.

1. Coats.

(a) A black buttoned up coat, chapkan, achkan, black sherwani and white bands with Advocates’ Gowns. 

(b) A black open breast coat, White shirt, White collar, stiff or soft, and white bands with Advocates’ Gowns.

In either case wear long trousers (White, Black Striped or gray) or dhoti excluding jeans. 

2. Black tie.

Provided further that in courts other than the Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Sessions Courts or City Civil Courts, a black tie may be worn instead of bands.

II. Lady Advocates 

Lady Advocates may wear either the dress prescribed in Sub-Rule (b) or the following:

(a) Black full sleeve jacket or blouse, White collar, Stiff or soft, with white bands and Advocates’ gowns.  White blouse with or without a collar, with white bands and with a black open breasted coat.

OR

(b) Sarees or long skirts (white or black or any mellow or subdued color without any print or design) or flare (white, black or black stripped or gray) or Punjabi dress churidar kurta or Salwar-Kurta with or without dupatta (white or black) or traditional dress with black coat and bands.

III. Advocates gown.

Wearing of Advocates’ gown shall be optional except when appearing in the Supreme Court or in High Courts.

IV. Black coat.

Except in Supreme Court and High Courts, during summer wearing black coat is not mandatory.

By Yash Naik of V.M Salgaocar College of Law, Goa