Practice Notes

EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT PRACTICE NOTE

No. l of 2015 COURT DRESS

 
This Practice Note is made pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

1. INTRODUCTION

This Practice Note is applicable to Attorneys-at-Law and Solicitors who practice before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, which includes the Magistrates Courts, Industrial Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. It is also applicable to Registrars of the Supreme Court who are required to attend Court sittings.

Counsel are expected to demonstrate good judgment and professional taste in their court attire. Respect for the court and colleagues, as well as counsel’s professional image should be the factors that are to be used by counsel to assess and ensure that their attire is appropriate and is in accordance with this practice note.

2. COLOURS

This section lays out the colours which are appropriate for court. Counsel appearing before any court, are not to wear bright and distracting colours. Permissible suit colours are black, navy blue and dark grey. These colours may be solid or pin-striped. Only solid or pin- striped white, navy blue, or dark grey inner shirts are permitted to be worn by male counsel. In the case of female counsel, only solid or pin- striped white, black, navy blue or dark grey inner shirts or blouses are permitted. Shoes must be black, navy blue, dark grey or dark brown in colour.

3. STYLE

For every court appearance, counsel are required to wear appropriate formal business attire.

For male counsel this includes suits, sports jackets and pants that are typical of formal business attire for work. Male counsel should wear appropriate coloured inner shirts as part of their attire. For all court appearances, except open court, male counsel must wear ties. These ties however should not contain dtstractingly bright colours.

For female counsel this includes pants and skirt suits, sports jackets and dresses with full length sleeves, all of which must be appropriate to a formal business attire environment. When inner shirts, blouses or bodices are worn these are to be of an acceptable colour as indicated in 2 above. Inner blouses or bodices with plunging and low cut necklines are to be discreetly worn and should not be excessively revealing. Skirts should be at least knee length or not more than one inch above the knee. Where pants or trousers are worn, they are to be the traditionally tailored type. Low cut or low rise trousers are not permitted. Generally, tight fltttng and body hugging clothing is not permissible.

In the case of members of the Inner Bar appearing in open court, a black waistcoat with grey and black striped or solid black or grey trousers or skirts should be worn.

Closed shoes must be worn by all counsel. In the case of female counsel, pumps or closed shoes should be worn; Sling back shoes with closed fronts may also be worn. Open toe or peep toe shoes and sandals are not permissible. Any deviation from this must be approved by the court prior to counsel’s appearance.

4. JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES

Jewellery and other accessories are permissible to the following extent; At all times jewellery must be unobtrusive;

The wearing of extravagant designs and excessive amounts of jewellery should be avoided;

Eyebrow rings, nose rings, and other similarly non-traditional piercings must be unadorned when counsel is appearing before the court;