COVID-19 Pandemic: Delhi HC Exempts Lawyers From Wearing Coats, Gowns

NEW DELHI: In an official announcement on Monday, Delhi High Court exempted lawyers from wearing coats, gowns, sherwani and jackets while attending the virtual hearings in the wake of ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

However, the lawyers were ordered to dress in a sober and dignified manner. 

The administrative order read: "In order to further contain the spread of COVID-19, it is hereby notified that till further orders, while appearing before this High Court or its subordinate courts, through video-conferencing or otherwise, the advocates are exempted from wearing gowns, coats, sherwanis, achkans, chapkans and jackets."

"However, they shall be dressed in a sober and dignified manner and expected to adhere to the rest of the dress code, as prescribed...," the order read. 

These directions shall come into force with immediate effect, it said.

Due to nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of virus, the high court has been conducting hearing through video-conferencing since March 25.

The benches usually assemble at the residences of the judges and the lawyers are allowed to join the video-conferencing from their homes or offices during lockdown.