10/05/2019
Bar Council of India prohibits Advocates from addressing the Hon’ble Courts as “MY LORD” and “YOUR LORDSHIP”:
Bar Council of India by invoking its rule making powers under section 49 (i) (j) of the Advocate’s Act passed a resolution and amended the rules of the Bar Council with regard to the addressing of Judges in the Supreme Court, High Court and Sub-ordinates Court . The said resolution is circulated and intimated to all the Registrar’s of Supreme Court and High Court given below:-
Resolved that the following rule made under Section 49 (i) (j) of the Advocate’s Act 1961 be added as Chapter III A in part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules.
“Consistent with the obligation of the Bar to show a respectful attitude towards the Court and bearing in mind the dignity of Judicial office, the form of address to be adopted whether in the Supreme Court, High Court or Sub-ordinate Court should be as follow:-
“Your Honour” or “Honourable Court” in Supreme Court and High Court and in the Sub-ordinate Courts and Tribunals it is open to the Lawyers to address the Court respectfully as “Sir” or equivalent word.
EXPLANATION:- As the words “MY LORD” and “YOUR LORDSHIP” are relics of British Colonial post, it is proposed to incorporate the above rule showing respectful attitude to the Court”.
It is pertinent to note, when once a Rule is made and added to the Bar Council of India Rules and when the same is already circulated and intimated to all the Registrar’s of Supreme Court and High Court, it becomes mandatory on their part and on our part to strictly follow and implement the same.
Advocates are not allowed to openly violate the rules made by the Bar Council
The former Chief Justice of India Justice Y.K. Sabharwal has gone on record by saying as follows:-
“The Lord is only one and He is the GOD, above all of us. I am not GOD.
Judges are not GODS”.
Honourable Judge of Madras High Court, Justice K. Chandru had prohibited the Advocates from addressing the Court as “MY LORD” and “YOUR LORDSHIP” and the said Honourable Judge has put up a notice in the Court Hall which reads as follow : -
“Advocates are requested to desist from using Honorifics such as “MY LORD” and “YOUR LORDSHIP” while addressing this court by adhering to Rule No. 49 (i) (j) framed by Bar Council of India”.
Justice K. Chandru of the Madras High Court has also gone on record by saying to the lawyers to stop speaking in a fawning manner and further observed as follows:
“Make your humble submission before GOD: before me it is enough if you make simple submission”.
Two Honourable Judges of Delhi High Court namely Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar and Justice Ravindra Bhatt who in order to implement and follow the above Rule had directed the Registrars of Delhi High Court to make a note in the Daily Cause List of their respective Courts as follows:-
“Note: Advocates are requested to try and avoid addressing the judges as MY LORD and YOUR LORDSHIP”.
