In a major new development in legal field, the old age dress code by which advocates were recognized (White and Black gown) in general public by to their dress code.
But, as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of pandemic coronavirus infection as a temporary measure for relaxation for lawyers appearing before the court via virtual medium like video conferencing, the Apex court today issued a circular which stated that “advocates may wear “plain white-shirt/white-salwar-kameez/ white saree, with a plainwhite neck band” during the hearings before the Supreme Court of India through Virtual Court System till medical exigencies exist or until further orders.” also the court has done away with the requirement of wearing gowns, for the time being.
Even, the hint for same was given by CJI during one of the hearings in this morning and the same has now been notified.
Also, on Wednesday he said that he will soon announce a new dress code for the judges and lawyers across the country. He asked the legal fraternity to avoid wearing black coat till that time. Now, legal fraternity have to bid adieu to their traditional dress code which they usually wear. The development comes as the judges have started hearing the cases in the courtroom from Tuesday.
Earlier, they were hearing court cases from their respective homes in the wake of the nationwide lockdown. But the respondents are not allowed to go to court and they join in through videoconference.
Now, we will look when the watershed move come from CJI to come up with the new dress code as he said on Wednesday and what’s the dress code for legal fraternity now? The present development is for temporary purpose due to global pandemic of Coronavirus. The relaxation will be in place till further orders, the circular says and the directions will come into force with immediate effects
Tap to read and download circular of SC : Circular.
References:
1}https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/breaking-supreme-court-relaxes-dress-code-for-lawyers-amid-pandemic-read-circular-156707
2} https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid-19-impact-sc-relaxes-dress-code-for-advocates-11589376538528.html