J R PARASHAR Vs. BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) along with two other advocates has filed CW No. 647/2001 seeking a mandamus for enforcement of Chapter IV of Bar Council of India Rules 1975 framed under S. 49(l)(gg) of the Advocates Act 1961, which prescribes the form of dress or robe to be worn by advocates. An order of restraint is also sought against the senior advocates from wearing what Is described as the Queens Counsel (QC), gown contrary to the above rule.The petitioners' case in brief is that the relevant rule prescribes the same dress for all advocates. Senior advocates therefore cannot wear the QC gown as also the short coat or jacket decorated with frills and fineries, to make out a different class of advocates.

(2.) CW No. 1959/2001 has been filed by the Lawyers Reformist Forum, through Its President Shri K. L. Rathee, seeking a writ of mandamus to restrain the Senior Advocates wearing the Queens counsel gown, contrary to the Bar Council Rule and to direct all advocates Including senior advocates to wear the dress or robe as prescribed under the Rule. The forum claims to be a Society with the object of promoting ethical standards in the profession and to ensure the availability of legal services to the economically weak sections of the society. Notices to show cause in these two writ petitions were Issued and counter affidavits have been filed.

(3.) Mr. N.N. Keswani appeared for the petitioner in both the abovementloned writ petitions and Mr. Sanjeev Sachdeva appeared for Bar Council of India.