Lawyers Should Be Presentable And Avoid Showing Inappropriate Images:SC Accepts Apology Of Lawyer Appeared For Virtual Hearing Whilst Lying On Bed Dressed In a T-Shirt [Read Order]

Supreme Court accepted the apology of an advocate who had made an appearance before the Court, whilst lying on bed dressed in a T-shirt, and emphasised on the need to maintain minimum court etiquette during court video hearings.

The incident took place during a hearing for transfer of a matter regarding maintainance and cruelty pending before the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Principle Judge Family Court, Rewari, Haryana to the competent court/Family Judge at Jehanabad, Bihar.

The Advocate representing the Petitioner had made an appearance in a T-shirt and was lying on his bed when the virtual court hearing took place. He has tendered an unconditional apology for the same.

The Bench comprising of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, while acknowledging that the times were tough, emphasised on the minimum court etiquette that must be observed, given the public nature of the hearings.

"This Court is of the view that when Counsel appear in court video hearings, they should be presentable and avoid showing images, which are not appropriate and can only be tolerable in the privacy of their homes. We are all passing through trying time and hearings by virtual courts have become the order of the day. Yet minimum court etiquette in terms of what can be considered decent dress, background etc. should be followed, given the public nature of the hearing."

On that note, the Bench accepted the apology of the erring advocate. 

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