Dress Code of Advocates

HISTORY
• 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 gown awarded a degree of anonymity to lawyers and judges.
• The black color was chosen because of two reasons. Firstly, colors and dyes
were not readily available back then. Purple signified royalty and thus, the
only abundant fabric color left was black.
• However, the main reason behind wearing a black coat is because black is
the color of authority and power. Black represents submission of oneself.
Just like priests wear black to show their submission to God, lawyers wear
black to show their submission to justice.
HISTORY
• The color white signifies light, goodness, innocence, and purity. As a
legal system is the only hope of justice for a common man, the color
white is chosen to represent him.
• The significance of the color also highlights that law is blind.
• As the Indian system is influenced by its British rulers due to their
reign, the 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.
• Lawyers both the sides- petitioner and respondent wear a similar
dress code.
HISTORY- White Band
HISTORY
• 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 advocate’s bands represent the upholding of
the laws of God and of men.
Advocates Act, 1961- Section 49(1)(gg)
49. General power of the Bar Council of India to make rules.—

(1) The Bar Council of India may make rules for discharging its functions
under this Act, and, in particular, such rules may prescribe—
(gg) the form of dresses or robes to be worn by advocates, having
regard to the climatic conditions, appearing before any court or
tribunal.
Amendment recommended by the Rules Committee at its meeting
dated 24.08.2001 was approved by the Bar Council of India at its
meeting held on 25th and 26th August, 2001 (Resolution No.
121/2001). The Chief Justice of India approved the Rules vide letter
dated 12.11.2001 subject to modification of Rule IV. The amendment
suggested by the Honorable Chief Justice of India was incorporated in
Rule IV vide Resolution No. 155/2001 dated 22nd and 25th December,
2001.
III. Wearing of Advocates' gown shall be optional except when
appearing in the Supreme Court or in High Courts.
IV. Except in Supreme Court and High Courts during summer wearing of
black coat is not mandatory.

In the change brought about in the Dress Rules, there appears to be

some confusion in so far as the Sub Courts are concerned. For removal
of any doubt it is clarified that so far as the courts other than Supreme
Court and High Court are concerned during summer while wearing
black coat is not mandatory, the advocates may appear in white shirt
with black, white striped or gray pant with black tie or band and collar
Ranveer Singh vs. State of Rajasthan,
2001(4)WLN429
• Advocates Act, 1961 - Sections 49(1)(gg) and 49(2)
• Dress of an advocate--An advocate may wear a 'Dhoti' while arguing
the case before a Court as provided by Rules made by the Bar Council
of India in exercise of powers under Section 49(1)(gg) of the
Advocates Act, 1961
• By virtue of Section 49(2) of the Act of 1961, the Rules framed by the
Bar Council of India being Special Rules will prevail over the General
Rules of 1952, 1986 and 1980 framed by the Rajasthan High Court.