Advocates cannot wear jeans, capris, leggings to court, says Bar Council of T.N. and Puducherry

BCTNP warns advocates against wearing jeans, capri pants, leggings to court. BCI Rules state male advocates must wear black buttoned up coat, chapkan, achkan or black sherwani with white band and advocate’s gown. Women must wear black full sleeve jacket or blouse with white collar, white bands and advocate’s gowns. BCI Rules make wearing of advocate’s gowns optional, except in Supreme Court/High Courts. Wearing of black coat not mandatory in any forum, but for SC/HCs in summer. BCI Rules state advocate's dress must be presentable.

Following complaints of some advocates not following the dress code prescribed by the Bar Council of India (BCI), the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTNP) has written to all Bar associations in the State as well as the Union Territory, warning their members against wearing jeans, capris and leggings to courts.

In a circular issued to the bar associations, BCTNP chairman P.S. Amalraj has stated that it is the duty of all advocates to appear before the courts in a presentable manner and any violation of the prescribed dress code would amount to professional misconduct punishable under Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961.

“The legal profession is a noble profession and in order to maintain its dignity, decorum and nobility, several duties are cast upon the advocates under the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules. Since, the advocates are the officers of the court, they have to follow the Rules framed under the Act,” the circular read.

It went on to state: “It is brought to the notice of the Bar Council that some advocates are not following the dress code as prescribed under the Bar Council of India Rules. Therefore, it is hereby informed to all advocates that the form of dresses or robes to be worn by advocates is prescribed under Part VI Chapter IV of the BCI Rules.”

The circular also extracted the Rules which state that male advocates must wear a black buttoned up coat, chapkan, achkan or black sherwani with a white band and advocate’s gown or a black open breasted coat with a white shirt, white collar (stiff or soft), white band and advocate’s gown.

“In either case, they must wear long trousers (white, black, striped or grey) or dhoti excluding jeans.... In courts other than the Supreme Court, High Courts, district courts, sessions courts or city civil courts, a black tie may be worn instead of band,” the BCI Rules stated.