Covid-19 dilutes black dress code for lawyers

PRAYAGRAJ: Corona pandemic has changed age-old dress code of lawyers, as they are no longer required to wear traditional black coat and robe/gown. Instead, they will appear before the courts throughout the country in white shirt and white neckbands. Similarly, women advocates will have to wear white saree and neckband. In an administrative order issued by the Bar Council of India (BCI), the apex body of the lawyers in the country, this step is being taken as a precautionary measure to check the spread of coronavirus infection under the present situation.
Considering medical advice and also a circular of the Supreme Court of India dated May 13, the BCI issued a notification on Thursday, asking that advocates across the country may wear plain white shirt with plain white neck-band.
The order has come into force with immediate effect. Similarly, women advocates may wear white saree with plain white neckband during the hearing/proceedings before all high courts and all other courts, tribunals, commissions and all other forums.
The BCIs notification made it clear that no coat, or gown/robe is required to be worn during such time period during which the threat of spread of coronavirus looms large or till such time the BCI further issues another administrative order modifying this order.