CJ reads riot act to lawyers on improper dressing

The Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, has
warned all lawyers appearing before courts in the FCT to henceforth
dress properly or risk being refused the right of audience.

Justice Bello gave the warning in a statement signed on his
behalf by the Chief Registrar of the FCT High Court, Babangida
Hassan.

The statement said, “Justice Bello views with great concern,
increasing cases of improper dressing by lawyers appearing before
the court in recent times.”

It added that the Rule 6(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct
for the Legal Profession (2007) made it a rule that “While the
court is in session, a lawyer should not assume an undignified
posture, and should not, without the judge’s permission, remove his
wig and gown in the courtroom. He should always be attired in a
proper and dignified manner and abstain from apparel or ornament
calculated to attract attention to himself.”

He said for male lawyers, the appropriate dress code should be
dark suits (preferably black, white shirts (winged collar or with
detachable collars) and a white bib, black socks and black shoes,
and that black trousers may be worn.

He said for female lawyers, there should be no embroidery and
trimmings of any type on their white blouse, dark jacket
(preferably black) and dark skirts covering the knees, adding that
black shoes are to be worn with white collarette and bib, and there
should be moderate jewellery.

“In both cases, counsel shall wear also, a wig and Barristers’
gown and refrain from any other apparel not specifically mentioned
above or provided by any regulation made by the Bar Council or the
Body of Benchers.

“Take notice therefore that any lawyer who fails or neglect to
comply may not be granted right of audience henceforth in the High
Court of the FCT,” the statement read.

The Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, has
warned all lawyers appearing before courts in the FCT to henceforth
dress properly or risk being refused the right of
audience.

Justice Bello gave the warning in a statement signed on his
behalf by the Chief Registrar of the FCT High Court, Babangida
Hassan.

The statement said, “Justice Bello views with great concern,
increasing cases of improper dressing by lawyers appearing before
the court in recent times.”

It added that the Rule 6(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct
for the Legal Profession (2007) made it a rule that “While the
court is in session, a lawyer should not assume an undignified
posture, and should not, without the judge’s permission, remove his
wig and gown in the courtroom. He should always be attired in a
proper and dignified manner and abstain from apparel or ornament
calculated to attract attention to himself.”

He said for male lawyers, the appropriate dress code should be
dark suits (preferably black, white shirts (winged collar or with
detachable collars) and a white bib, black socks and black shoes,
and that black trousers may be worn.

He said for female lawyers, there should be no embroidery and
trimmings of any type on their white blouse, dark jacket
(preferably black) and dark skirts covering the knees, adding that
black shoes are to be worn with white collarette and bib, and there
should be moderate jewellery.

“In both cases, counsel shall wear also, a wig and Barristers’
gown and refrain from any other apparel not specifically mentioned
above or provided by any regulation made by the Bar Council or the
Body of Benchers.

“Take notice therefore that any lawyer who fails or neglect to
comply may not be granted right of audience henceforth in the High
Court of the FCT,” the statement read.