The Bar Council of India announced that lawyers practising in subordinate Courts need not wear the long black gown or coat while arguing their cases. This news came as a respite in this scorching heat as lawyers all around India are greatly ridden by absence of cooling systems in lower Courts. Gown was such a pain in such atmosphere.
This relief, which would give lawyers respite from the sweltering heat, conveyed to the Tamil Nadu Federation of Women Lawyers (TNFWL), in response to a representation seeking relaxation of dress code for advocates during summer. The Bar Council of India letter dated July 16, however, said advocates practising in high courts and the Supreme Court cannot avail themselves of the dress rule relaxation.
K Santhakumari, president of Tamil Nadu Federation of Women’s Lawyers, wrote a letter to the BCI on June 2, seeking exemption for advocates from wearing gowns during the summer, keeping in mind the heat.