Delhi High Court Mandates Gowns For Advocates || New Dress Code From November 4

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The Delhi High Court has mandated that all advocates must wear gowns while appearing before it, effective from November 4, 2024. This directive aims to uphold decorum and uniformity in court proceedings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a traditional dress code within the legal profession. Compliance will be monitored closely.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued a directive requiring all advocates appearing before it to wear gowns starting from November 4, 2024 (Monday). This mandatory dress code will remain in effect until further notice.

The Court’s order underscores the importance of maintaining decorum and uniformity in court proceedings. The directive is aimed at ensuring that advocates adhere to the traditional dress code, which includes wearing black robes over their regular attire while presenting cases before the bench.

“All advocates are hereby directed to wear gowns when appearing before this court starting from Monday, November 4, 2024, until further notice,” the Court’s directive states.

The move has sparked discussion within the legal community, with some lawyers viewing the step as a reinforcement of tradition and discipline, while others have raised concerns about the necessity of such a mandate, especially during the warmer months. However, the High Court has not yet specified any exemptions or modifications to the order based on seasonal considerations.

Advocates who fail to comply with this new dress code might face potential consequences, although the Court has not explicitly outlined any penalties for non-compliance.

This latest decision highlights the emphasis that courts in India place on maintaining a formal and professional environment during legal proceedings, and it aligns with similar practices followed by courts across the country.

The implementation of the directive will be closely monitored, and further instructions may follow based on how it is received and enforced. Until then, advocates must ensure they are dressed in gowns while appearing before the Delhi High Court.

Read the Notice Here: