Stop Presenting Shawls, Other Gifts To Judges; Don't Visit Their Residences For Favours: Madras High Court To Judicial Officers

The Madras High Court through a circular has issued a slew of directions to the judicial officers in the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service and the Puducherry Judicial Service. 

The circular asks the Judicial officers to refrain from the practice of presenting shawls and other mementos to the Judges while meeting them. It also directs the officers to not visit the residence of the judges for requesting any favours like promotion or transfer.

"The Judicial Officers shall stop the practice of .presenting shawls, mementos, bouquet, garlands, fruits and gifts to the Hon'ble Judges at the time of meeting the Hon'ble Judges of High Court," the circular issued through Registrar General (incharge) read.

The high court also said the judicial officers shall not leave the court during court hours or receive any hospitality from any advocate or litigant public. Additionally, the circular refrains the officers from addressing any communication directly to the Judges. Such communication, the circular says, must be addressed only to the Registry which will then place the same immediately before the Chief Justice or the portfolio Judge for necessary action.

It also states that the officers should avoid wearing black coats and black tie outside the court premises and shall wear any coats and ties of their choice other than black colour or having any resemblance to black colour.

The high court has asked all the Principal District Judges/District Judges/Head of Units to instruct their Judicial Officers to follow these instruction scrupulously and ensure their implementation.

Regarding Visits By High Court Judges

The circular also says that the officers should not stand or wait on the roadside at the outskirts of the town or city to receive a High Court Judge but during official visits, may instead arrange for a responsible member of the staff to receive the Judge at the outskirts of the city/town and guide them to ensure safe arrival without any inconvenience.

It further says that when a High Court Judge is making a private visit, only the Judicial Officer deputed for protocol duty shall receive the Judge at the place where accommodation is provided or at the railway station or airport as the case may be. However, it also emphasizes that when such visits are during court hours, the Judges shall be received by a responsible member of the staff.

It also says that no guard of honour should be arranged for private visits but all necessary security arrangements should be made.

Similarly, the circular states that when a Judge is making an official visit, he shall be received by the highest Judicial Officer on protocol duty if the visit is outside the court hours or by any responsible member of the staff if otherwise.

Additionally, the circular says that whenever a private or official visit is made by any Judges to various districts of the State, the senior most staff member nominated by the Principal District Judge or the Unit Head of the respective district alone should receive/send off the Judges. It adds that there is no compulsion on the part of the Judicial Officers to be present during these visits by the High Court Judges unless their presence is warranted officially or on courtesy call.