The resolution moved by the Rajasthan High Court advising advocates to refrain from addressing its judges as “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” must be encouraged across the judiciary. There were directions over a decade ago, to settle for “Your Honour”, “Honourable Court” and “Sir”, but it does not seem to have caught on. In fact, a little more is required to be done to maintain gender equality especially when female judges hold court as a single bench. Besides this, it would also be more appropriate if the use of archaic and colonial terms in law suits is also amended. For instance any petition filed in courts or judicial tribunals often resorts to the use of phrases such as “the petitioner/applicant most humbly showeth that ….”
S.K. Khosla,
Chandigarh