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Summer Dress Code Relaxation for Lawyers: Are Black Coats Optional?
The traditional black coat is an important part of an advocate's professional appearance in Indian courts. However, the dress rules recognise that wearing a black coat during extremely hot weather can be difficult. For this reason, there is a specific summer relaxation for advocates appearing before courts other than the Supreme Court and High Courts.
The Bar Council of India dress rules state that wearing a black coat is not mandatory during summer in courts other than the Supreme Court and High Courts. The rules also clarify the appropriate dress that may be worn when the black coat is omitted.
What Are the Dress Rules for Advocates?
The Bar Council of India has prescribed dress requirements for advocates under rules made under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961.
The prescribed dress generally includes a black coat or other specified black formal attire, white shirt or collar and white bands, together with the other requirements applicable to advocates.
The rules are intended to maintain a sober and dignified appearance when advocates appear before courts and tribunals.
Is the Black Coat Optional During Summer?
Yes, but the relaxation has an important limitation.
Under the BCI dress rules, black coats are not mandatory during summer when an advocate appears before courts other than the Supreme Court and High Courts. The rules specifically preserve the requirement for the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Therefore, the summer relaxation should not be understood as a general rule allowing advocates to stop wearing black coats in every court.
The hierarchy of the court where the advocate is appearing remains important.
What Does the Summer Relaxation Mean?
The relaxation primarily concerns the black coat. It does not mean that an advocate can appear in ordinary casual clothing.
The BCI clarification states that advocates appearing before courts other than the Supreme Court and High Courts may, during summer, appear without the black coat while wearing a white shirt with black, white-striped or grey trousers and the prescribed black tie or band and collar.
This distinction is important because the relaxation concerns the coat rather than eliminating the professional dress code altogether.
What About White Bands?
White bands remain an important part of the advocate's prescribed court attire.
In Hardik Kapoor v. Bar Council of India & Ors., the Delhi High Court examined the BCI dress rules and clarified that the summer relaxation concerns the wearing of the black coat. The judgment explained that the relaxation should not be interpreted as replacing the prescribed white bands with black ties for advocates appearing before courts.
Accordingly, advocates should distinguish between the relaxation of the black coat and the other components of professional court dress.
Does the Rule Apply to the Supreme Court?
The summer exemption from wearing a black coat does not extend to the Supreme Court under the BCI rule.
The rule expressly states that the black coat remains mandatory during summer in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
An advocate appearing before a higher court should therefore check the applicable dress requirements rather than assuming that the general summer relaxation applies.
What Was the Delhi Position in 2025?
In Delhi, the Delhi Bar Association issued a circular in May 2025 stating that advocates were exempt from wearing black coats from May 16 to September 30 when appearing in courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court.
The circular stated that advocates were at liberty to appear in subordinate courts without black coats while continuing to follow the other applicable dress-code requirements. The district and sessions judges of various Delhi court complexes were also informed.
This Delhi-specific development illustrates why advocates should check the latest directions or circulars applicable to the particular court where they are appearing.
Are Lawyers Free to Wear Casual Clothes?
No.
Removing the black coat does not mean that an advocate can appear before a court in casual clothing. The underlying professional dress requirements continue to apply.
The BCI rules require advocates to appear in prescribed, sober and dignified dress.
Therefore, during the summer relaxation, an advocate should continue following the permitted formal attire, including the applicable shirt, trousers, bands or other prescribed elements.
Why Was the Relaxation Introduced?
The principal practical reason is the climatic conditions experienced during India's summer months.
A black coat can be uncomfortable in high temperatures, particularly for advocates who spend significant periods moving between courtrooms, waiting areas and court complexes.
The BCI dress rules therefore recognise a distinction between the formal requirements applicable in the Supreme Court and High Courts and the summer position in other courts.
What Should Advocates Check Before Appearing in Court?
Before attending a hearing during summer, advocates should consider:
Which court or tribunal they are appearing before.
Whether the forum is covered by the BCI summer relaxation.
Whether the relevant Bar Association or court has issued a current circular.
Whether white bands or other prescribed items remain required.
Whether any special dress directions apply to a particular hearing or courtroom.
Local court directions can be important because practical implementation may depend on the applicable rules and current administrative instructions.
Difference Between Black Coat Relaxation and Complete Dress-Code Exemption
These two concepts should not be confused.
Black coat relaxation:
The advocate may appear without the black coat where the summer exemption applies.
Complete dress-code exemption:
This would mean that the advocate is free from the prescribed professional attire altogether.
The BCI summer rule provides the former, not the latter. Other professional dress requirements continue to apply.
Conclusion
The summer dress code for lawyers in India provides a specific relaxation from wearing black coats in courts other than the Supreme Court and High Courts. The BCI rules continue to require advocates to maintain prescribed professional attire, and the relaxation should not be treated as permission to appear in casual clothing.
The Delhi Bar Association's 2025 circular further demonstrated how the summer relaxation may be implemented for advocates appearing before subordinate courts in Delhi.
Because dress requirements and local directions can change, advocates should verify the current instructions applicable to the court in which they are appearing.
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