Black robes and coats can be removed by the lawyers while attending court proceedings in Delhi, as the permission is granted to the lawyers amid scorching heatwave in capital city.
The statute requiring lawyers to wear bulky black jackets and robes since 1961 is being tested as some courts find Delhi’s extreme temperatures intolerable.
Although the Supreme Court is being encouraged to make it a standard norm for all lawyers in the nation, at least three courts have allowed attorneys to take off their coats and robes for the summer.
A Delhi-based lawyer, Shailendra Mani Tripathi, has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, advocating for a change in the decades-old dress code. Tripathi argues that black coats absorb more heat and pose health risks, making it neither fair nor reasonable to force lawyers to wear them. The issue highlights the need for better infrastructure and facilities in Indian courts, especially during extreme weather conditions
Black coats absorb more heat and endanger health, Tripathi says in his filing, which the justices have yet to hear. Forcing lawyers to wear them “is neither fair nor reasonable,” he says.
This week, judges at a Delhi court postponed a case until later in the year, citing issues with the water supply and air conditioning.
Although many lower courts and consumer forums rely on fans and have inadequate ventilation, the Supreme Court and the majority of High Courts are equipped with air conditioning.
This week, Delhi had temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius, which prompted officials to limit water supply, close schools, and set up heatstroke units at hospitals.
The issue highlights the need for better infrastructure and facilities in Indian courts, especially during extreme weather conditions
For Delhi, this implies that the city’s legal system is being impacted by the extreme heat.
Judges heard claims against insurance companies at a consumer court in the southwest Dwarka neighborhood on Thursday, which Reuters visited. The courtroom had two broken air conditioners. The only ways to get out of the weather were with ceiling fans and open windows.
Judges in international courts often wear special clothing called judicial robes and wigs. These robes are different in each country and jurisdiction. For example, in British courts, judges wear long, black gowns with a white collar and a wig made of horsehair.
In the United States, judges usually wear simpler black robes without wigs. The purpose of these robes and wigs is to show respect for the court and its traditions. They help create an atmosphere of seriousness and professionalism during court proceedings.
Hopefully, this move will provide some relief to legal professionals as they navigate their cases in the sweltering heat.
