Plea to ensure advocates maintain proper dress code disposed of

Courts have time and again reiterated that boycott by advocates on flimsy reasons is impermissible. If any misconduct is noticed suitable actions are to be initiated by the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, observed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed in 2020 by advocate B. Ramkumar Adityan of Tiruchendur who had sought a direction to the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to ensure that advocates follow the dress code during court proceedings and did not wear gowns and neck bands during strikes, boycotts or agitations.

A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that, “It is needless to state that as per the Code of Conduct, the advocates have to maintain decorum during the court proceedings”. The court said that if any misconduct is noticed suitable action should be initiated.

As far as the Registrar General of the High Court is concerned, in the event of noticing any misconduct, the Registrar General of the High Court is empowered to lodge a complaint before the Bar Council for initiation of appropriate action. No further consideration is required in respect of the grounds raised in the writ petition, the court observed and disposed of the petition.