A day after the Supreme Court exempted lawyers from wearing black robes in view of COVID-19, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday said lawyers across the country were not required to wear the customary black coats, gowns or robes.
A regulator of the legal profession in India, BCI said the administrative order will remain in place till the time the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was looming large or until any other overriding order was passed by it.
A notification issued by Supreme Court, Secretary-General Sanjeev S. Kalgaonkar said “advocates may wear “plain white-shirt/white-salwar-kameez/white saree, with a plain white neckband” during the hearings before the Supreme Court of India through Virtual Court System till medical exigencies exist or until further orders.”
“It is notified (vide Bar Council of India Resolution dated 13.05.2020) for information of all Advocates of the country, that considering the medical advice and also the circular dated 13.05.2020 issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, all Advocates may presently wear “Plain White Shirt/White Salwar-Kameez/White Saree With Plain White Neck Band” during hearings/proceedings before all the High Courts and all other Courts, Tribunals, Commissions and all other forums and no coats or Gowns/Robes are/is required to be worn during such time period during which the threat of the spread of Corona Virus looms large and/or till such time the Council further issues another Administrative order modifying/ overriding this order,” the administrative circular of BCI said.
“Order to remain in place till COVID-19 threat looms large,” says BCI.
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