In a circular, the Supreme Court administration on Saturday said that due to the ongoing severe heat wave across the country, lawyers need not to wear gowns while hearing cases in both the divisions of the Supreme Court.
In a circular undersigned by Supreme Court Registrar General Golam Rabbani informed that Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan took the decision after consulting with the senior judges of the Supreme Court due to the ongoing heat wave.
According to the notification, the requirement of lawyers to wear gowns during the hearing of cases in both divisions of the Supreme Court has been relaxed.
The notice also mentioned that this order would remain in force from April 21 until further order.
The Supreme Court will open from today (Sunday) after long vacation that started from March 24 on the occasions of Independence Day, Holy Shab Qadar, Holy Eid-ul-Fitr and Bangla New Year.
However, judicial proceedings were going on in some benches of the High Court and Chamber Court of the Appellate Division for the hearing and disposal of urgent and important matters during the vacation.
Earlier on April 4, the Supreme Court relaxed its dress code in wearing black coats and gowns for the judges and lawyers of the judge courts, its subordinate courts, and tribunals, due to the same reason.
According to the notification, judges and lawyers of all subordinate civil and criminal courts or tribunals of the country will wear white full shirt or white saree or salwar-kameez and white neckband or black tie as the case may be. In this case there is no requirement to wear black coat and gown. The notification states that this directive will be effective from April 8 until further notice.
The notification also said that due to the severe heat wave going on across the country and in view of the application of various lawyers associations of the country, the decision was taken after discussions between the Chief Justice and the senior judges of the Supreme Court.
