Lagos courts ban white bibs for lawyers’ attire
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, has taken a step to uphold the standards of professionalism within the legal community by issuing a directive that bans lawyers from wearing white bibs and collars in Magistrates’ Courts.
This decision was made during the Bar and Bench Quarterly Meeting held in Ikeja, where Justice Alogba expressed his concerns regarding the increasing trend of lawyers appearing in court with attires he deemed improper.
Justice Alogba emphasized that courtroom attire is not merely a matter of personal choice but reflects the dignity and respect owed to the judicial process.
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The appearance of legal practitioners in court should align with established norms that convey professionalism and seriousness. The Chief Judge’s directive aims to reinforce these standards and ensure that all lawyers present themselves appropriately when representing clients in court.
Call for reeducation by NBA
In light of this directive, Justice Alogba has called upon the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to intensify efforts in reeducating its members about appropriate courtroom attire.
He said his initiative is crucial as it seeks to address any misunderstandings or lack of awareness regarding what constitutes acceptable dress code within legal settings.
The NBA’s involvement will be essential in disseminating information and providing guidance on this matter.
To ensure compliance with this new directive, Justice Alogba indicated that an official directive would soon be issued, which will outline specific measures for enforcement across magistrates’ courts.
This may include monitoring courtroom appearances and potentially implementing penalties for non-compliance. Such actions are intended to create a consistent standard for all legal practitioners operating within Lagos State.
Meanwhile, a Lagos-based lawyer who wants to remain anonymous, has said “the appropriateness of wearing white bibs in court largely depends on the jurisdiction and the specific rules governing courtroom attire within that legal system.
According to him, in many common law jurisdictions, including Nigeria, courtroom attire is subject to established conventions and regulations that dictate what legal practitioners should wear while representing clients.
He said in some jurisdictions, white bibs may be considered appropriate for certain types of courts or proceedings, particularly in higher courts or during formal sessions. For example, in some Commonwealth countries, barristers traditionally wear white bibs as part of their formal attire when appearing before higher courts. This practice is rooted in historical customs and reflects a long-standing tradition within the legal profession.
In higher courts, such as appellate courts or supreme courts, lawyers may be expected to adhere to more formal dress codes that include white bibs.
Conversely, in lower courts or Magistrates’ courts, there may be stricter guidelines against wearing such attire, as seen in the recent directive from the Chief Judge of Lagos State.
The role of the legal practitioner also plays a significant part in determining appropriate attire. For instance, barristers typically wear white bibs as part of their traditional garb when representing clients in court.
Solicitors or other legal representatives may have different dress codes that do not include white bibs.
Cultural norms surrounding professional attire can also impact when it is appropriate to wear white bibs. In some cultures, traditional garments may be worn alongside or instead of Western-style courtroom attire.
