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The Print
20-07-2025
- The Print
As bar associations go after courtroom imposters in black & white, concerns about ‘overreach'
'No clerk, litigant, or member of the general public is permitted to wear a white shirt and black pants,' the notice stated, declaring the attire 'strictly reserved' for advocates as a symbol of professional identity. In an effort to clamp down on the worrying trend of touts and fake lawyers misleading and defrauding litigants, the Rohini Court Bar Association (RCBA) issued a notice 15 July, prohibiting non-lawyers from wearing white shirts and black trousers within the court premises. New Delhi: From Shahdara to Gurugram, court bar associations are imposing attire restrictions after a surge in non-lawyers posing as advocates — triggering fresh debate on freedom, formality, and access to justice. 'A number of touts are falsely representing themselves as official advocates or clerks… These individuals are misleading and defrauding uneducated litigants under false pretence,' the RCBA said. A month earlier, the Gurgaon Bar Association passed a similar resolution, emphasising that only enrolled advocates or duly authorised law interns are permitted to wear the professional dress code — white shirt and black trousers, salwar suit, or sari—as per Bar Council of India (BCI) norms. According to the resolution dated 5 June, violators now face a Rs 5,000 penalty, and the rule is strictly enforced inside the district court complex. In November 2022, the Shahdara Bar Association of Delhi introduced a new dress code for interns—white shirt and blue coat and trousers. This was done keeping in mind the confusion and mix up between advocates and interns as a large number of interns visit the court. But this order was set aside by the Delhi High Court which said a standard uniform should be mandated across the board as varying dress codes set by different bar associations would create confusion and difficulties for interns. Thus, the uniform prescribed by the Bar Council of Delhi would be followed uniformly across Delhi. In November 2018, a Delhi High Court judge set aside a similar notice issued by the Rohini Bar Association directing interns not to wear black coats. Even though there have been debates about change in the formal attire due to the excessive summer heat—discussions about litigant's clothing have been uncommon. Also Read: Gurugram Bar cracks down on courtroom impersonators with a 'black & white' ban The colonial legacy The black-and-white dress code—black coat, white shirt, neckband—was inherited by the Indian legal system from the British colonial tradition. The tradition of wearing uniforms in courts is centuries-old. In England, judges began wearing wigs around 1650, although robes had already been in use even earlier. After Independence, India did away with the wig but retained black coats and robes as part of courtroom attire. Under the Advocates Act of 1961, it is compulsory for lawyers in India to wear a black coat or robe along with a white neckband. Wearing a gown is optional, except when appearing before the Supreme Court or high courts. Over the years, this uniform has become the visual shorthand for a lawyer in India — both inside courtrooms and in popular culture. But that symbolic power is now being undermined. The crisp black coat and white shirt are more than just fashion. In India, they're a badge of authority. In Bollywood or TV, anyone in black-and-white is instantly assumed to be a powerful lawyer character—think Jolly LLB or Damini. According to the Bar Council of India 'an advocate shall appear in court only in the dress prescribed and his appearance should always be presentable'. The Advocates Act, 1961, along with the Bar Council of India Rules, outlines the dress code for advocates in India. For male advocates , a black buttoned-up coat, chapkan, achkan (knee-length jacket), black sherwani, and white bands with an advocate's gown. Alternatively, a black open-breast coat, white collar (stiff or soft), and white bands with an advocate's gown. Long trouser —white, black, striped, or grey—or a dhoti. For female advocates, a black full- or half-sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar (stiff or soft), and white bands with an advocate's gown. Alternatively, 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. But the rules, while clear for advocates, are silent on what litigants or the general public can or cannot wear. Who owns the black & white? Traditionally, litigants were expected to dress 'formally' in courts, out of respect for the proceedings. But now, some worry these colour restrictions could affect people simply trying to dress appropriately. The recent curbs raise questions about dress codes being enforced beyond legal professionals. 'While the RCBA's intention to prevent impersonation is understandable, enforcing a prohibition on basic attire—white shirts and black trousers — across all court visitors strays into arbitrary overreach,' Delhi-based advocate Urja Pandey told ThePrint. Furthermore, these are common everyday wear in India, worn by students, clerks, office workers, and even children, she explained. 'Banning them impinges on ordinary citizens' freedom of expression and right to access justice, especially when they may lack the means for elaborate wardrobe changes.' 'The Bar Council of India's authority under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act empowers it to regulate advocates' dress, not the public's; extending such rules to litigants or clerks risks legal invalidation,' she added. Supreme Court advocate Shariq Ahmed Abbasi, however, said the Rohini Bar Association notice must be welcomed by the public at large. This move, he said, is only to 'save litigants from the menace of touts. It was repeatedly brought to the knowledge of the Bar body that several miscreants had falsely represented themselves as lawyers and defrauded the litigants.' 'The step should be seen in the right earnest with the objective of preserving the interests of litigants and as a mark of professional identity and dignity of the legal fraternity,' he told ThePrint. About alternatives, advocate Pandey explained how the issue of impersonation can be better addressed through 'targeted measures such as mandatory identity cards, better gate security, biometric checks, or visible signage — not blanket attire bans'. Ved Prakash Sharma, co-chairman of the Bar Council of India since 2019 and a former chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi, also criticised this move. He said a bar association is an association of advocates working at a particular court complex, and they have no right or authority to prescribe a dress code for members of the society. 'They (bar associations) have no legal or moral authority to do that, and (they) are exceeding their jurisdiction and authority by prescribing a dress code or penalising people wearing advocate attire,' he added. 'Even for advocates, the only statutory body—Bar Council of India—will prescribe a dress code.' He acknowledged the concerns about touts, security and safety as legitimate, but said 'these things are to be taken up with the law enforcement authorities, the police concerned or the district judge or the High Court.' 'And it is their business how to control and regulate the entry of unwarranted people in the court complex.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Bangs, lipstick, low neckline—for Indian woman lawyers, merit evaluation steeped in misogyny
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi Bar Association exempts advocates from wearing black coats during summer
New Delhi: Delhi Bar Association has issued a notice exempting member advocates from wearing black coats during summer sessions in district courts. "The members are free to appear in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing black coats. However, they must adhere to the other mandatory dress code rules," said the notice dated May 24, signed by the association's secretary, Vikas Goyal. Advocate Sanjay Sharma, commenting on the development, said that the association issued an advisory for the exemption of wearing black coats during summers, while the other rules of the dress code—white shirt, black trousers, and band—are strictly to be adhered to. "This relaxation of dress code has been made keeping in mind the non-air-conditioned courtrooms and extreme heat, aiming to protect advocates' health from heat strokes and discomfort. This decision has been made to ensure efficient functioning of advocates of all age groups," said advocate Sharma. Similar exemptions have long been adopted by bar associations in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. "Some may view this as undermining courtroom professionalism. However, the Bar Council of Delhi has prioritised advocates' health over traditional attire, balancing court decorum with comfort and well-being," added advocate Sharma. "All the members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing black coats during summer, i.e., from May 16 to September 30, as per the amendment in rule under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act of 1961," stated the notice. Section 49(1)(gg) of the act empowers the Bar Council of India (BCI) to make rules regarding the dress or robe to be worn by advocates appearing before any court or tribunal. This includes considerations for climatic conditions.
NDTV
02-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Delhi Bar Association Exempts Lawyers From Wearing Black Coats In Summer
New Delhi: The Delhi Bar Association (Tis Hazari) has exempted its members from wearing the compulsory black coats in summer in the district court. The notice of May 24 said, "All the members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing black coats during summer, ie, from May 16 to September 30, as per the amendment in rule under Section 49 (1) (gg) of the Advocates Act of 1961." The provision empowers the Bar Council of India (BCI) to frame rules on the attire of advocates appearing before any court or tribunal and includes consideration of climatic conditions. "The members are free to appear in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing black coats. The members, however, are advised to adhere to the other rules of the dress code, which is mandatory for an advocate," said the notice signed by the association's secretary Vikas Goyal.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delhi bar body exempts lawyers from wearing black coats in summer
The Delhi Bar Association (Tis Hazari) has exempted its members from wearing the compulsory black coats in summer in the District Court. The notice of May 24, 2025 said, 'All the members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing black coats during summer, i.e., from May 16, 2025 to September 30, 2025, as per the amendment in a rule under Section 49 (1) (gg) of the Advocates Act of 1961'. The provision empowers the Bar Council of India (BCI) to frame rules on the attire of advocates appearing before any court or tribunal and includes consideration of climatic conditions. "The members are free to appear in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing black coats. The members, however, are advised to adhere to the other rules of the dress code, which is mandatory for an advocate," said the notice signed by the association's secretary Vikas Goyal.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- The Hindu
AP Bar Council removes 17 advocates from its rolls
The Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh (BCAP) has issued a notification on Tuesday removing the names of 17 advocates, including two practising in the High Court (HC), from its rolls for furnishing false/ fake educational certificates at the time of enrolment. BCAP Secretary B. Padmalatha stated that the council's enrolment committee, after an inquiry with regard to the furnishing of false/ fake educational certificates produced by them at the time of enrolment, had recommended to the Bar Council of India (BCI) to remove their names as per Section 26 (1) of the Advocates Act of 1961. After giving notice and affording an opportunity of hearing to the advocates, the BCI directed the removal of the names of the said advocates from the BCAP's rolls. The advocates are D. Ratna Kumari and P. Padmapriya (both from HC), D. Chamundeswari, C.D. Purushottam, Chintakayala C.S. N. Murthy, Kandukuri Vishvak, Nakkella Satyavati, Gedela Raja Sekhar, Dega Sai Venkata Suman, Chagalamarri Siddaiah, Yellapu Naveen, Talluru Venkata Ramanaiah, Medithe Praveena, Yadala Suresh Babu, Kurupudi Satyanarayana, G. Subrahmanyam and M.V. Maheswara Rao.
