Lawyers’ body issues dress code guidelines after advocate appears in casual attire before court

Ranchi: Inappropriate dressing while appearing for a

court

proceeding through video conferencing by a lady advocate of the

Jharkhand

high court led the Advocates Association to issue a notice directing all advocates to be dressed in proper uniform during proceedings.

Signed by the secretary of the association, Navin Kumar, the notice spells out the dos and don’ts while appearing before judges during online proceedings. Kumar said, “The Bar Council of India has already done away with the practice of wearing the customary black coat and gown by advocates during the onset of Covid-19 in the country.”

He added, “The new

guidelines

which have also been implemented by the Jharkhand state bar council, mandate male advocates to wear white full sleeves shirts with the band and black, grey or white trousers. Women advocates need to wear a white sarees and black full neck blouse, white full neck salwar kameez and the band.”

The erring lady advocate was reprimanded by the bench and the president and the secretary of the association were informed and asked to take appropriate measures for appearing in a

casual

attire. “There have been other instances of lawyers not following the protocol with regards to the uniform and the background from where they appear before the court,” Kumar said.

Chairman of the state bar council Rajendra Krishna said, “It is rather unfortunate that advocates appear so casually before a judge during online proceedings. Lawyers should remember that video conferencing is also as serious as a normal court proceeding inside courtrooms.” The council has already issued a circular earlier to all district associations about the change in uniform and has urged all advocates to strictly follow the same, Krishna informed.

Asmita Srivastava, an advocate in the

high

court, said, “The dignity of the court as well as advocates ought to be maintained. Lawyers need to understand that conducting court proceedings from the comfort of their homes has some limitations and should strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the council.”