The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) has urged junior lawyers and legal interns to maintain decorum and obey the Bar Council of India (BCI) and Kerala High Court dress code for lawyers.
On Wednesday, the KHCAA issued a notice in this regard, noting the lack of adherence to the dress code as a key concern affecting the decorum and etiquette expected in Courts.
The notice stated that there are established traditions of attire, etiquette, and decorum that must be followed in courts, and that the BCI has also published guidelines specifying the dress or robes that advocates must wear.
A notice issued by the Kerala High Court in 2018 was also mentioned, in which it was stated that law students doing internships at courts shall follow the dress code set by the BCI under Section 49(1)Mgg) of the Advocates Act 196, with the exception of coat, bands, and gown.
The KHCAA hypothesized in its notification that newly enrolled junior advocates and legal interns may have struggled to adjust to the etiquette and decorum expected in courts as a result of the pandemic’s virtualization of court procedures.
The KHCAA asked its members to advise junior lawyers and interns on the need of maintaining courtroom decorum in order to prevent further unpleasant incidents.
“This has led to several unsavoury incidents occurring in Court halls and premises since the resumption of physical hearing. We request all the learned members of our Association to advice junior Advocates and law interns attached to your office to maintain the decorum and etiquette and to follow the dress code as prescribed by the Bar Council of India and the High Court of Kerala,“
Reads Notice
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