Rajasthan HC cites equality, says judges shouldn’t be called ‘My lord’

A notice by the Rajasthan high court said the decision was unanimously taken in a full court meeting on July 14 to “honour the mandate of equality enshrined in the Constitution”.

The Rajasthan high court on Monday asked lawyers to stop the practice of addressing judges as “my lord” and “your lordship” during hearings.

Gavel and law books. (Getty/Representative Image)

A notice by the court said the decision was unanimously taken in a full court meeting on July 14 to “honour the mandate of equality enshrined in the Constitution”.

In January 2014, the Supreme Court had said it was not mandatory that or lawyers to address judges as “my lord”, “your lordship” or “your honour”.

The top court was hearing a petition that said it was colonial practice and must be done away with. “When did we say it is compulsory. You can only call us in a dignified manner,” the court had said.

The SC had refused to pass orders on the plea and said the court “can’t direct” lawyers on how to address it.

“Why should we say that brother judges should not accept being addressed as lordship,” the bench had said.