NEW DELHI (PTT): Lawyers in robes bowing before Judges with words like “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” in the High Courts and the Supreme Court in India may soon become a scene of the past as the mode of address is likely to be replaced with a salutation “consistent with Democratic system.”
According to Chief Justice of India M. N. Venkatachaliah to address Judges in courtrooms with these words was a legacy of the colonial past which must be done away with, as no Judge feels comfortable when addressed as a “Lord?”
The Chief Justice said it was for the lawyers to choose how should, they address the court while arguing their cases.” If you have chosen to (real us as your Lords, the fault lies with you,” Justice Venkatachaliah said.
He said “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” arc used wherever the Anglo-Saxon law is in practice, but added these words “certainly do not belong to a Democratic system, ”Referring to a proposal skin to him by the BCI in August last year suggesting introduction of salutation like” Sir, Your Honor or your Judgeship” in Indian courts, the Chief Justice said a decision will be taken with the consent of all Supreme Court Judges.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 19, 1994
