Lawyer Seeks Exemption from Wearing Black Coat & Gown in Summer: Files Plea in Apex Court
(Judicial Quest News Network)
A petition has been filed in Apex Court by an Advocate seeking exemption to Advocates from wearing black coats and gown in the month summer in the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
The petitioner says that not all the advocates practising at the Supreme Court and the High Courts are affluent enough to afford an air-conditioned mode of conveyance and the current dress code only aggravates the summer heat.
Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed the writ petition.
He seeks Amendment in the rules of The Bar Council of India to exempt advocates appearing before the subordinate Judiciary from wearing Black coats.
The petitioner further submitted that United Kingdom, the source of inspiration for us in adopting the dress code for our judicial system, has itself done amendments in the dress code of their advocates and judges in the view of changing social values and climatic conditions.
He further submitted that moving to and fro between District Courts, the High Courts and the Supreme Court wearing coat and gown in torrid summer heat becomes unbearable. Whereas taking them off and carrying along is not always possible due to important files and other items being held in hands.
He has pointed out that not all the advocates practicing at the Supreme Court and the High Courts are affluent enough to afford a mode of conveyance which is temperature-controlled/Air-conditioned, in order to save themselves from the harsh heat of summers. And wearing black coat and gown in the months of summer aggravates the effect of heat.
He has submitted that uncomfortable dresses/uniforms may cause stress, anxiety and unease. Dress code is indeed a symbol of profession and pride, It instills dignity and decorum but striking a prudent balance between the symbolism and favorable working environment is very essential.
The plea further argued that Black blazers along with long ceremonial gowns, in parched and dry summers of some states and humid hot summers of other states in India, make the heat even more scorching for the advocates. As black color absorbs all the wavelengths of light and reflects none, it absorbs the heat most. Therefore, black coats and robes cause the body to heat up more and causes discomfort in the summer season.
- The petitioner prays for Give direction to the Bar Council of India to amend its rules, to exempt advocates from wearing Black coats and Gowns in the months of summer, in the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
- Give direction to the Bar council of each state to amend their rules and determine the months of prevailing summer for that particular state during which Black coats and Gowns can be exempted according to the temperature and humidity variation of that region.
- Pass such other order/s as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.
