Bar Council of Delhi warns Advocates to maintain Decorum during Virtual Hearings

The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) has issued a stern directive to advocates, urging them to adhere to judicial decorum and etiquette during Court appearances via video conferencing. The move follows complaints from Judicial Officers regarding repeated lapses by Lawyers during virtual hearings.

The BCD highlighted several common issues:
(a) Advocates are not in proper attire while addressing the Court
(b) Place and background are not appropriate as per judicial norms
(c) Advocates do not mute themselves while not addressing the Court
(d) Advocates are not on time
(e) Proper software and hardware are not used
(f) Frame of the camera is not correctly placed
(g) Lack of proper lighting around
(h) Advocates are not looking into the camera and not paying attention

The Bar Council of Delhi warned that failure to comply with these norms will be treated as misconduct under Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961. Disciplinary action may be initiated against Advocates upon receipt of complaints regarding such violations.

Acknowledging video conferencing as a facilitating platform, the BCD emphasized that it does not exempt Advocates from maintaining the same decorum expected in open Court. All Bar Associations have been urged to disseminate the guidelines for widespread compliance.