Bombay High Court directs action against lawyer for improper courtroom attire
Bombay High Court directs action against lawyer for improper courtroom attire
The Bombay High Court has directed the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa to initiate appropriate action against a lawyer for not appearing in proper attire in the courtroom.
During a recent hearing, when Jagdish Ahuja moved a plea for an early hearing of a case, the bench of Justice Prithviraj Chavan noted that he was not wearing the advocate's bands and gown as prescribed by the Bar Council of India's Rules under the Advocates Act.
The bench asked for his identification and ordered, "The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa shall initiate appropriate action against him. A copy of this order shall be furnished to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa."
The Advocates Act states that lawyers appearing in any court, tribunal, or authority shall wear the prescribed dress, which shall be sober and dignified.
Male advocates shall wear a black buttoned-up coat, chapkan, achkan (knee-length jacket), black sherwani, and white bands with an advocate's gown. Alternatively, they can wear a black open-breast coat, white collar (stiff or soft), and white bands with an advocate's gown.
They shall also wear long trousers -- white, black, striped, or grey -- or a dhoti.
For female advocates, the dress code is a black full- or half-sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar (stiff or soft), and white bands with an advocate's gown. Alternatively, they can wear sarees or long skirts in white, black, or any mellow or subdued colour without any print or design or flares in white, black, black-striped, or grey.
An advocate's gown is optional except when appearing in the Supreme Court or a High Court.
In courts other than the Supreme Court, High Court, District Court, Sessions Court, or City Civil Court, a black tie can be worn by the lawyers instead of bands.
However, as per the law, the bands and gowns cannot be worn in public places.
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