COVID-19: No gowns and coats (for now) as Supreme Court notifies relaxation in dress code for Advocates

The Supreme Court has notified a relaxation in the dress code for lawyers appearing before it via video conferencing, in light of the medical exigencies existing due to COVID-19..In a circular issued today, the Supreme Court has said that on receiving medical advice, it is relaxing the dress code for Advocates appearing before the Court via video conferencing. According to the Court, the same is being done as a precautionary measure for containing the spread of COVID-19..Advocates may now appear before the Court sans gown and blazer. Plain white shirt, Salwar Kameez, or Saree with the white lawyers' bands shall suffice, the notice states..This relaxation will be in place till further orders, the circular says.."...the Competent Authority has been pleased to direct that the advocates may wear “plain white-shirt/white-salwar-kameez/ white saree, with a plainwhite neck band” during the hearings before the Supreme Court of India through Virtual Court System till medical exigencies exist or until further orders."Supreme Court circular.During one of the hearings this morning, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde had hinted at this step and the same has now been notified..Breaking: CJI Bobde hints at doing away with lawyers' dress code to prevent COVID-19 spread.Read the Circular