Dress Code for Judicial Officers: Delhi High Court issues circular on June 2, 2023

On June 02, 2023, a circular was issued by the Delhi High Court that revised the Rule highlighting the dress code for judicial officers. The High Court, in its circular, mentioned that “As directed by the Hon’ble the Chief Justice and his companion Judges and in partial suppression of the earlier Circular bearing No. 11/Rules/DHC dates 07.08.2009, existing Rule 30 of the ‘Canons of Judicial Ethics’, High Court Rules & Orders (Vol. IV) shall be substituted with a new Rule 30.” The Rule reads, “The dress of the Presiding Officer should be in keeping with the dignity of his office. Shorts and short-sleeves are quite unsuitable for the Presiding Officers of a Court.” Through the information mentioned in the circular, it was determined that a white shirt and white band, black coat and grey or white trousers is the dress of all male judicial officers. Also, the dress code of lady Judicial Officers was also mentioned, “All judicial officers should wear white/black, full/half sleeved, blouse/shirt, sarees white/black/combination thereof, Pants/salwar/churidar/long skirt (white/black/grey), white collar (stiff/soft), white band and full sleeved black coat.” The Circular also highlighted that the dress code of the Advocates would be the same as provided by the Bar Council of India Rules.