[Virtual hearing] Advocates lounging on bed, appearing with face pack unacceptable: Allahabad High Court prescribes dress code for lawyers

Advocates appearing for court hearings through video conference while driving scooter, lounging on bed, wearing colourful clothes or putting on face pack cannot be accepted, the Allahabad High Court observed while reiterating the dress code to be strictly followed by lawyers while appearing before virtual court (Smt. Jyoti v. State of Uttar Pradesh).Lawyers are required to wear 'plain white shirt/ white salwar- kameez/ white saree with plain white neck band' while appearing through virtual mode, Single-judge Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery directed. .He said that advocates should understand that their appearance for hearing of cases through virtual mode from their house or office or chamber is like a extended court room and it is as serious as attending a court proceedings inside a court. "Even the Supreme Court had witnessed various incidents, where many advocates adopted very casual approach while appearing through virtual mode and appeared wearing vest, tee shirt or coloured shirt, in puja attire, while driving scooter, while taking a leisurely walk, sitting inside a stationed vehicle, from market places, places with noisy surrounding, places with unpleasant backgrounds, keep talking on phone or not paying attention to the court though video and audio tab remained on, even an advocate appeared lounging on the bed and a lady advocate with face pack on," the court observed. .Appearance of advocates in causal attire is very inappropriate and unacceptable in any circumstance, the Court emphasised. In this regard, the court said that office bearers of the Bar Associations of the High Court should advise it's members, not to adopt any casual approach while appearing before this Court through virtual mode "which may cause hurdle in the administration of justice."The observations were made after the video link sent to the counsel for a bail applicant remained non-responsive..The Court observed in its order that relaxation has been extended by different courts with regard to advocate's dress code by exempting coat and gown while appearing through video conference. .The Court also noted the decision by Bar Council of India which relaxed the dress code for advocates across he country. The said decision stated that all advocates can/may wear “plain white shirt/ white salwar-kameez/ white saree with plain white neck band” during hearings/proceedings before all the courts across the country, and no "coats or gowns are needed".However, many advocates have adopted a casual approach while appearing through video conference which cannot be allowed, the Court said. "Even today while hearing the present case through virtual mode, an advocate, appearing on behalf of one of the parties, appeared wearing a coloured shirt and has not shown any remorse despite his conduct was objected," the Court noted. .The Court, therefore, directed that lawyers are required to wear 'plain white shirt/ white salwar- kameez/ white saree with plain white neck band' while appearing through virtual mode. It further said that lawyers should address the Court from a premise which has a decent and presentable background with peaceful surrounding and to remain attentive towards the court, It would be appreciated if they wear black coat also, the Court added. .The matter will be heard again on July 28.