Questioning the absence of dignity among lawyers in the apex court, the Supreme Court on Tuesday chided the Bar for showing disrespect to judges during arguments.
The comment came in the course of hearing of a case where a lawyer pressed for further relief without being content with the order of the court. Taking umbrage to such conduct by the lawyer, the Vacation Bench of Justices AK Patnaik and Ranjan Gogoi remarked, “Why this Bar cannot be dignifiedIJ The tenor of arguments in this court is so rough.”
The concern was borne out of recent instances when lawyers faced the ire of the court for showing disrespect to the Bench. Not long ago, Justice Patnaik had taken offence of the arguments by a former ASG who had to be replaced after the court found his “rude” arguments out of taste.
“If you want respect from us it is always reciprocal,” the Bench said while the lawyer in question was instructed to seek relief keeping the dignity of the court in mind and not to suit the convenience of the client.
To an extent, the concern of the court exposed the non-enforceability of the Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette, framed by the Bar Council of India, which underlines the duty of lawyers to the Court. “An advocate shall, during the presentation of his case and while otherwise acting before a court, conduct himself with dignity and self-respect,” it states.
Further, the Rules provide that “an advocate shall maintain towards the courts a respectful attitude, bearing in mind that the dignity of the judicial office is essential for the survival of a free community.”
The Bench urged apex court lawyers to take cue from their counterparts practicing in several High Courts, citing the example of Madhya Pradesh and Guwahati. It asked Sushil Kumar Jain, the president of Advocates-on-Record Association, the premier association of lawyers of apex court to make a sincere effort in this direction.