Plea in SC to do away with black coats for advocates during summer

New Delhi, Aug 30: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking exemption for lawyers from wearing black coats and gowns in the top court as well as the high courts across the country during summer.

The plea has sought a direction to state bar councils to amend their rules and decide the time period when lawyers would be exempted from wearing black coats and gowns depending upon the fact as to when the summer peaks in the particular state.

The plea has been filed by lawyer Shailendra Mani Tripathi.

Wearing coats during torrid summer makes it difficult for lawyers to move from one court to another, it said.

Lawyers' dress code is governed by the Bar Council of India Rules under the Advocates Act, 1961, and they make it mandatory for an advocate to wear a black coat with a white shirt and a white neckband.

Under the rules, wearing an advocate''s gown is optional except when the lawyer is appearing in the Supreme Court or in a high court.

(PTI)