Delhi Bar Association’s Summer Dress Code Change: Lawyers Can Skip Black Coats

In a welcome move for lawyers facing the intense heat in the capital, the Delhi Bar Association (Tis Hazari) has announced that advocates practicing in district courts under the Delhi High Court will be exempted from wearing their traditional black coats during the summer months. This exemption is effective from May 16 to September 30.

According to a circular issued on May 24, the Bar Association stated, "All members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing black coats during summer, i.e., from May 16 to September 30, as per the amendment in rule under Section 49 (1) (gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961."

While the black coat is not mandatory during this period, lawyers are expected to continue following all other dress code rules. The notice, signed by the association's secretary Vikas Goyal, clarified that members are free to appear in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing black coats but must comply with the remaining dress code regulations.

The dress code rules under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961, require all practicing advocates to follow a formal attire standard. For male advocates, this includes a black buttoned-up coat, chapkan, achkan (a knee-length upper garment with long sleeves, side slits, and a standing collar), or black sherwani, along with white bands and an advocate's gown. Female advocates must wear a black full- or half-sleeve jacket or blouse with a white collar (stiff or soft), white bands, and an advocate's gown, paired with either a saree or long skirt in black or white without any designs.

This temporary relaxation aims to provide comfort to legal professionals while maintaining the dignity of courtroom attire during the hot summer months.

(With PTI inputs)