Pune: In response to increasing summer heat, the legal fraternity has been granted an early exemption from wearing black coats during court proceedings.
Traditionally, lawyers are permitted to forgo the black coat from March 15 to June 30, but this year, the exemption has been granted 15 days earlier, starting from March 1.
According to Chapter 22, Paragraph 636 of the Civil Manual, lawyers will not be required to wear the black coat during this period. However, the black coat remains an integral part of a lawyer’s professional identity, and many continue to wear it despite the summer heat.
With the rising temperatures, lawyers practicing in rural areas—where courtrooms may lack air conditioning and power supply can be inconsistent—often struggle with wearing black coats in extreme heat. The early exemption aims to ease their discomfort while ensuring smooth legal proceedings.
While some lawyers welcome the exemption, others continue to wear the black coat out of habit and professional discipline. "The black coat is a defining aspect of our profession. While the exemption is helpful, many lawyers still prefer wearing it to maintain a formal court presence," a criminal lawyer stated.