Considering the sweltering heat, the Kerala High Court recently published a notice relaxing dress code for the advocates in the state.According to the notice issued by the registrar general of the court, wearing of black coat and gown will be optional for advocates appearing in the district courts and for the advocates appearing in the High Court wearing of gown will be optional.The decision was taken after the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association had requested to issue appropriate orders dispensing with dress code during summer season considering the sweltering weather.“The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association vide reference cited has requested to issue appropriate orders dispensing with dress code during this Summer considering the sweltering weather and the difficulties faced by the Advocate community across the State. The Honourable the Chief Justice, after considering the same, has decided as follows:-i) For the advocates appearing in the courts in the district judiciary, wearing of black coat and gown will be optional.ii) For the advocates appearing in the high court, wearing of gown will be optional,” the notice read.The dress code relaxation shall be in place till the end of May.Story continues below this ad“The aforesaid directions will be in force with effect from the date of publication of this Notice, till 31.05.2026,” the notice read.Under the Advocates Act, 1961, the Bar Council of India is empowered to prescribe rules on “the form of dresses or robes to be worn by advocates, having regard to the climatic conditions, appearing before any court or tribunal”.The Bar Council of India Rules, 1975 (BCI Rules), contain dress code rules to ensure that advocates appear “sober and dignified”.According to the BCI rules, the dress code for male advocates includes-Story continues below this adBlack buttoned up coat, chapkan, achkan, black sherwani and white bands with advocates gowns, a black open breast coat, white shirt, white collar, stiff or soft, and white bands with advocates’ gowns.In either cases wear long trousers (white, black, striped or grey) or dhoti excluding jeans provided further that in Courts other than the Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Sessions Courts or City Civil Courts, a black tie may be worn instead of bands.For female advocates-(a) black full sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar stiff or soft, with white bands and Advocates ‘Gowns. White blouse, with or without collar, with white bands and with a black open breasted coat.OR(b) sarees or long skirts (white or black or any mellow or subdued colour without any print or design) or flare (white, black or black striped or grey) or Punjabi dress Churidar Kurta or Salwar Kurta with or without dupatta (white or black) or traditional dress with black coat and bands.Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience. Expertise Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents. Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes: Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity. Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes: Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law. Verdictum: Focusing on high-quality legal news and court updates. Enterslice: Working at the intersection of legal, financial, and advisory services. ... Read More © IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Kerala High Court