The Punjab Bar Council has issued notices to more than 100 hotels and restaurants across the province. The council has directed these businesses to immediately stop using uniforms that resemble the official dress of lawyers. It warned that legal action could follow if the practice continues.
According to the notices, the Punjab Bar Council received several complaints about hospitality staff wearing clothing similar to the official uniforms of advocates and judges. The council said such attire could create confusion among the public and may violate existing legal provisions.
The notices were issued by the chairman of the Punjab Bar Council’s Disciplinary Committee. They require the affected hotels and restaurants to explain why their employees are wearing such uniforms. The establishments must also provide details about the staff members involved and describe their job responsibilities.
The council stated that only individuals who are officially enrolled as advocates are permitted to wear the prescribed lawyers’ uniform. It added that unauthorised use of the legal dress could amount to an offence under the law. The move aims to protect the identity of the legal profession and prevent misuse of its official attire.
The Punjab Bar Council has also warned that businesses failing to comply with the notices may face strict legal proceedings. According to the council, action could be taken not only against the companies but also against their owners, directors, shareholders, and employees if the practice is not discontinued.
Speaking to Dawn, Punjab Bar Council Disciplinary Committee Chairman Abbas Ali Chadhar said the initiative should not be viewed as an attempt to give lawyers special privileges. Instead, he said the purpose is to avoid confusion among the public, who may mistakenly identify hotel employees as practising lawyers.
Chadhar urged hotels and restaurants to adopt different uniforms for waiters and other staff members. He said changing the dress code would help distinguish hospitality workers from members of the legal profession. He also noted that the issue extends to clothing resembling the official attire worn by judges. According to him, judicial dress should also not be copied or used outside the legal system.
The council also outlined the official dress code for advocates. Male lawyers are required to wear a black coat with a white shirt and black tie. They may pair it with black, grey, or white trousers. A white shalwar kameez with a black sherwani is also permitted.
For female advocates, the prescribed dress includes a black coat worn over a white shalwar kameez with a white dupatta. The council said these uniforms represent the legal profession and should only be worn by authorised advocates.
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The latest action by the Punjab Bar Council reflects its effort to protect the identity of lawyers and judges while ensuring that members of the public are not misled by similar-looking uniforms in commercial establishments.
