Extreme heat prompts plea to relax court dress code over health risks

A lawyer has applied to the chief justice seeking relaxation of the mandatory court dress code in view of the ongoing heatwave and associated health risks.

Mohammad Ridwan, a lawyer of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, submitted the application yesterday (5 April) through the registrar general.

In the application, he said that due to the impacts of climate change, the summer season is becoming longer and heatwaves are intensifying, exposing lawyers to various health risks, including heatstroke.

He also noted that there have been incidents in the past where lawyers died while performing their duties in extreme heat.

The application further highlighted risks such as dehydration, fainting, fever, diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Ridwan said courtrooms often lack adequate cooling systems, with limited ventilation and insufficient functioning fans, making it difficult to continue work in formal attire during prolonged heat.

Considering the situation, he requested that the mandatory use of coats and gowns in court be relaxed and sought permission to wear white full-sleeve shirts or white sarees or salwar kameez with a white neckband or black tie.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Ridwan, who also practises at the Chattogram District and Sessions Judge Court, said, "Although our prescribed dress code is formal and appropriate, it has become extremely difficult to practise law wearing it in the current intense summer heat. Especially due to the absence of air conditioning or adequate cooling in courtrooms, along with the recent electricity crisis, wearing black coats for long hours has become a health risk."

"Previously, the chief justice had relaxed the dress code during summer, which was quite comfortable for us. Considering the current adverse weather conditions, we strongly demand that the dress code be relaxed again to ensure proper performance of professional duties and to maintain physical well-being," he added.