WHEN ADVOCATES VIOLATE THE CODE by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

The Bar Council of India prescribes a strict dress code for an advocate.  An advocate must wear his bands or gown strictly only within the Court premises and never on the streets. This rule seems to be regularly violated. In Mumbai lawyers are even seen at Fort and Crawford markets donning their gowns.

A shop keeper there once told me that they may be doing it to get respect and possibly some discounts on their purchases. It is also deplorable to see notaries in advocate’s uniform hanging around the bus stops near Mumbai’s Victoria Terminus soliciting and bargaining with customers.  Even pimps in the world’s oldest profession do it more discretely.  All said and done you do not become an advocate by merely wearing a gown. Just as you are not a doctor by merely stringing the stethoscope around your neck.