Hi, today I am going to talk to you about the dress code of Advocates(Advocates dress code). Many times people ask this question why do advocates wear black clothes? and many people also ask the question of whether it has any significance.
So, the first thing when we talk about Significance then we have the Advocate Act of 1961. Where discourses have been given that what should be the dress code of the advocate, then the first thing is that the dress code comes out from the Advocate Act 1961.
And if we talk to except the Advocate Act, then what would have been the mentality behind it?
Today I will talk to you about why Advocates wears Black Dress. Then we will also talk about whether the advocate should wear only court and pants. Is it compulsory? and can Advocates wear Sherwani kurta also? then let me inform you that provisions have been given in this regard also. Provisions have been given in the Advocates Act, so dhoti, achkan, sherwani can be worn anything.
Then what is the dress code for male and female advocates? Which advocate can wear gowns and bands? Why band is split into two parts? so today we will talk about some of these questions. But before that, it is important to know that some of you might even know that when we talk about the dress code of advocates and judges, the black color always comes to the fore.
So we all know that if Advocates wear a black coat, then black color in itself provides power and also represents Power and Aggression and if we talk about Indian astrology then they say that the God of Justice is Shani and the color of Shani is black, so there are many such things which were joined together to prepare the dress code of the advocates.
So when we do after the advocate’s dress code and we will think that Many times people ask this question why do advocates wear black clothes? and many people also ask the question of whether it has any significance?. So, everything else that I mentioned above, about Shani, is related to Shani and all other things are based only on logic, so what is the history behind the dress code of the advocates and Judges, so next I will explain to you some things related to history.
- The Gown and the Wig
In February 1685, when King Charles II of England died, people started wearing a gown as a symbol of mourning for their King’s death. It was then that the uniform for a lawyer was designated. It was believed that wearing a wig and shown awarded a degree of anonymity to Lawyers and Judges. Wigs first appeared in the legal profession in the 17th Century during the reign of King Charles II at the time of restoration of the monarchy.
They were fashionable among the English Upper class after the Court of Louis the fourth of France inspired King Charles III. Latera and Judges started wearing Wigs around 1680. For 150 years the legal wig was usually of powdered white or gray hair. When England’s first female barrister was called in 1822 to the bar to discuss what she should wear at Court. She was allowed to wear the with but with no hair showing in front and long hair showing at back tied.
- The Color: Black and White
Black color generally has many different overtones. Like every color, it has both positive and negative connotations. So, on one hand, it signifies death, evil, and mystery while on the other hand, it signifies strength and authority.; I think black color was chosen because of two reasons.
Firstly, Black is the color of authority and power.
Secondly, Black represents the submission of oneself. Just like priests wear black to show their submission to God, lawyers wear black to show their submission to justice.
The color white signifies light and goodness.
In India Advocate’s Act of 1961 makes it mandatory for a lawyer to wear a black robe or coat with a white neckband on top of it in the continuity of the same.
- The Neckbands
The white neckbands too have their Origins rooted in England. In old English Courts, the barristers-at-Law used to wear white bands as part of their uniform.
The two pieces of white cloth joined together to form the Advocate’s bands represent the Tablets of the Laws or Tablets of Stone. The 10 commandments are believed to be the first example of a Uniform Coded Law. The shape of the band is also similar to the rounded-off rectangular tablets. Thus, the white Advocat’s bands represent the upholding of the laws of God and of men.
- The Regulations of the Bar Council of India
Section 49 of the above Rules govern the Dress Code for the Advocates appearing in the Supreme Court, High Courts, Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, or Authorities. They shall wear the following as part of their dress, which shall be sober and dignified.
1. COAT –
(a) A black buttoned-up coat chapkan, achkan, black sherwani, and white bands with Advocates’ Gowns.
(b) A black open breast coat, White shirt, White collar, stiff or soft, and, white bands with Advocates’ Gowns.
2. BLACK TIE –
Provided further that in Courts other than the Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Sessions Courts, or City Civil Courts, a black-tie may be worn instead of bands.
3. LADY ADVOCATES –
Lady Advocates may wear either the dress prescribed in Sub-Rule (b) or the following:
– Black full sleeve jacket or blouse, White collar, Stiff or soft, with White bands and Advocates’ gown.
– A white blouse with or without a collar, with White bands, and with a black coat.
Or
-Sarees or long Skirts( white or black or any mellow or subdued color without any print or design ) or flare ( white, black or black striped or gray )…
-Or Punjabi dress churidar kurta or Salwar-Kurta with or without dupatta (white or black) or traditional dress with black coat and bands.
4. ADVOCATE’S GOWN –
Wearing of Advocates’ gown shall be optional except when appearing in the Supreme Court or in High Corts.
So, this is all about the history, logic, and Law behind the dress Code of the Advocates. And one more important thing is that black color does not discriminate against anyone, That’s why to deliver justice without discrimination the coat of Advocates and Judges is black.
Advocates are exempted from the black coats during summer days. Advocates are the main Pillar of the Judiciary, so if you are an advocate then you should be proud to be an advocate.
