The Bombay High Court has directed the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa to take disciplinary action against an advocate, Jagdish M Ahuja, for failing to adhere to the mandated dress code during court proceedings. The court’s directive came during the hearing of a criminal write petition.
Justice Prithviraj K Chavan highlighted the advocate’s non-compliance with the formal dress requirements, noting that he was not wearing the standard bands and gown as prescribed by the rules. The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa is now tasked with investigating this breach of conduct and deciding the appropriate disciplinary action against Advocate Ahuja. This enforcement of dress code rules serves as a reminder to the legal community about the importance of professional standards set by legal institutions.
According to Section 49 (1) of the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of India has the authority to establish regulations regarding the attire to be worn by advocates when appearing before any court or tribunal, taking into account the prevailing climatic conditions.
In line with this authority, the Bar Council of India enacted a resolution on August 24, 2001, which established the dress code for male and female advocates appearing in the Supreme Court, High Courts, Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, or Authorities.
For male advocates, the dress code allows the wearing of a black buttoned-up coat, long coats, achkan, black sherwani, or white bands with Advocates’ Gowns. They can also wear a black open-breast coat, white shirt, white collar and white bands with Advocates’ Gowns.
For female advocates, the dress code specifies a black full-sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar, with white bands and Advocates’ Gowns. They can also wear a white blouse with white bands and a black open breast coat.
The Bar Council’s regulations state that, except in the Supreme Court and High Courts, the wearing of a black coat is not mandatory during the summer.