New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at providing relief to advocates battling the extreme summer heat in the Capital, the Delhi Bar Association (DBA) has announced that lawyers practising in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court will be exempted from wearing the mandatory black coat between May 16 and September 30.
The dress code for practising advocates, outlined under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961, mandates a formal attire which includes a black buttoned-up coat, a chapkan, achkan, black sherwani, and white bands with an advocate’s gown for men. Women are required to wear either a black full or half-sleeve jacket or blouse with a white collar and white bands, accompanied by a saree or long skirt in white or black without any design, along with the advocate’s gown.
In a circular dated May 24, DBA Secretary Vikas Goyal stated, “All the members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing a black coat during summer (from May 16 to September 30) as per amendment in rules under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961. Therefore, the members are at liberty to appear in the Courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing a black coat. The members are, however, advised to adhere to other rules of the dress code.”
The circular also confirmed that district and sessions judges across various court complexes in Delhi have been officially informed of this decision.
The move has been widely welcomed by the legal community. Advocate Dhir Singh Kasana, former Secretary of the Saket Bar Association, said, “This is a very good step. The weather is very erratic and humid. In June, the heat will be way worse. This should be done by all Bar Associations and Councils across North India.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Advocate Paras Jain, who practises in Delhi, pointed to the inadequate infrastructure in Indian district courts. “Indian district courts lack proper infrastructure in terms of fans, air conditioners, unhygienic washrooms, and sitting rooms. Coupled with rising temperatures, it has become a daily physical and mental challenge for the advocates to wear black coats during court hours, especially in summer. This move is a welcome step towards the welfare of the advocates practising at district courts,” he said.
Earlier this year, on February 27, the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa had issued a circular allowing advocates to forgo the black coat from March 1 to June 30 annually. Similarly, the Bar Council in Bhopal granted a comparable exemption from April 15 to July 15, 2025.