New Delhi, Apr 17: The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking a directive to apply uniform dress code for both senior advocates and other advocates as provided under the rules of Advocates Act. A bench, comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice G P Mathur, dismissed the appeal filed by lawyers reformist forum after hearing elaborate arguments from advocate N N Keshwani who submitted that the rules did not distinguish between seniors and other advocates as far as the dress was concerned. The senior advocates wear twin coats with gowns which is slightly different from those worn by other advocates. Keshwani stated that the Delhi High Court had dismissed his petitions in this regard without taking into account the fact that the law did not allow separate dresses for the seniors and other advocates.
He said the traditional use of such coats and gowns by the senior advocates were illegal as no tradition could override a law unless specifically provided for by the law enacted by parliament.

After hearing arguments for nearly half-an-hour, the bench dismissed the petition.

Bureau Report