Need not stick to traditional attire, Kerala High Court eases dress code

Long skirts, churidars, and full-sleeve shirts and pants, women judges in Kerala can now be seen in “modern” attire. The Kerala High Court last week cleared a request from women judges allowing them to wear modern dresses in courts.

Earlier, women judicial officers could wear only saree and blouse. Kerala High Court has now officially changed the dress code of women judicial officers which was last issued in 1970. However, the women will have to stick to the black and white colour combination, to appear formally dressed during the court proceedings.

The circular issued by the court registrar (district judiciary) has emphasized that the dress worn should be modest and simple, befitting the dignity of a judicial officer.
More than 100 women judicial officers had in the summer month of May approached the high court registrar seeking a change in the 53-year-old dress code, according to media reports.