Delhi High Court Issues Fresh Circular On Dress Code Of Judicial Officers

The Delhi High Court has revised the Rule which provides for dress code for judicial officers of the district courts and the practicing lawyers.

"The dress of the Presiding Officer should be in keeping with the dignity of his office. Shorts and short-sleeves are quite unsuitable for the Presiding Officers of a Court," the high court said in a circular.

Substituting Rule 30 of the Canons of Judicial Ethics, High Court Rules & Orders (Vol. IV), the full court of the Delhi High Court has resolved that all male judicial officers should wear a white shirt and white band, black coat and grey or white trousers.

“All lady judicial officers should wear: White/black, full/half sleeved, blouse/shirt, Sarees white/black/combination thereof, Pants/saIwarichuridar/long skirt (white/black/grey), White collar (stiff/soft), White band and Full sleeved black coat,” a circular issued on June 02 reads.

It further states that the dress of the advocates would be the same as provided by the Bar Council of India Rules.

Rule 30, in its original form, provided different kinds of dress codes for subordinate judges, magistrates, district and sessions judges, lady judicial officers etc.

“As directed by Hon'ble the Chief Justice and his companion Judges and in partial supersession of the earlier Circular bearing No. II/Rules/OHC dated 07.08.2009, existing Rule 30 of the "Canons of Judicial Ethics", High Court Rules & Orders (Vol. IV) shall be substituted with a new Rule 30…,” the high court said.

Earlier this year, Justice Prathiba M Singh had clarified that the advocates appearing before any courts, from city civil courts to Supreme Court, would have to wear white bands along with uniform.

Interns can enter court complexes with black tie, black pants and white shirt as prescribed by Bar Council of Delhi, she said.

Justice Singh was hearing a plea moved by a second year law student challenging a circular issued by Shahdara Bar Association resolving that interns practicing at the Karkardooma Courts ought to wear white shirt and blue coat and trousers.

Click Here To Read Circular