Punjab and Haryana High Court mandates lawyers to wear gowns
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 20,2024
On December 20,2024, the court issued a notice that wearing gowns would be mandatory from January 7,2025.“Gowns are mandatory for advocates appearing in the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh”.
This reinstatement of the gown mandate underscores the court’s commitment to maintaining decorum and uniformity during proceedings.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) prescribes dress code rules for advocates appearing in courts and tribunals. The dress code includes:
- Men: Black gown over a black coat, white or black striped or grey trousers or dhoti, and a black buttoned-up coat, chapkan, achkan, black sherwani, or white shirt and white collar
- Women: Black full-sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar, and white bands
The dress code is intended to ensure that advocates appear dignified and sober. Wearing a black robe is also said to create a sense of discipline and power, and to give lawyers a feeling of upholding justice and rights.