“The legal profession remains one of the most conservative concerning work attire. In other words, flashy isn’t allowed. The profession has a fairly universal attitude regarding what is considered appropriate and what isn’t,” says the National President Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Anthony Forson.

This, he said to admonish lawyers against indecent dressing or attire to court.

He said the official dress male lawyers is dark coloured suit with a tie and a properly buttoned shirt while female lawyers should always wear dark suits with trousers or knee length matching skirts.

According to him, “bare legs are never acceptable in court and neither are open-toed shoes. Anything flashy such as large, gaudy earrings or sandals are also inappropriate.” 

He explained that with legal profession, whether in court or at the office, lawyers should refrain from showing too much skin, as “bare arms [are], generally, frowned upon in the office and never appropriate in court. Hair and makeup should always be conservative,” he added. “Lastly shirts or blouses should always be buttoned so that cleavage is never revealed.”

The admonition, he said also goes to judges.  

He made the statement while commemorating the annual general conference of the GBA organised Monday at the Accra Court Complex and televised via the internet.  

Mr Forson also expressed concerns over insults directed at judges in the performance of their judicial function, “We of the Ghana Bar Association are encouraged by our constitution to ensure the integrity of the judicial process especially since our colleagues on the bench are unable to speak in their own defence.” 

He stressed that any conduct, which brings the administration of justice into disrepute or ridicule constitutes contempt.

“We will always condemn such acts but we cannot attempt to direct the judiciary as to how to deal with contemnors,” he added.

 By Akutu Dede Adimer