Supreme Court eases lawyer dress code amid heatwave

Due to the ongoing intense heatwave, the Supreme Court administration has eased the mandatory requirement for lawyers to wear black gowns during hearings in the Appellate and High Court Divisions.

The information was revealed in a circular on Saturday (April 20), signed by Md Golam Rabbani, the registrar general of the Supreme Court, under the direction of the chief justice.

As per the notification, the SC administration has opted to suspend the compulsory obligation for lawyers to don gowns during hearings in the Appellate and High Court Divisions, starting tomorrow until further notice.

The decision was taken in consultation with the chief justice and other senior judges of the Supreme Court, considering the ongoing severe heatwave across the country.

The Supreme Court's vacation began on March 24. Both divisions, the Appellate Division and High Court Division, will reopen on April 21 following court holidays, including Independence Day, Holy Shaba Qadr, Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, and New Year. However, certain Benches of the High Court and Chamber Courts of the Appellate Division are conducting judicial proceedings to address urgent and significant matters during the vacation period.

Earlier on April 4, the Supreme Court administration issued a notification regarding the attire to be worn by judges and advocates of subordinate civil and criminal courts or tribunals while handling cases.

According to the notification, judges and lawyers of all subordinate civil and criminal courts or tribunals of the country will wear white full shirt or white saree or salwar-kameez and white neckband or black tie as the case may be. In this case, there is no requirement to wear black coat and gown. The notification states that this directive will be effective from April 8 until further notice.