PIL seeking ban on exalted address for judges quashed

The Supreme Court on Monday said it is not compulsory to address judges as “my lord,” “your lordship,” or “your honour.” It, however, declined to ban use of such terms and direct the lawyers not to do so.

The Supreme Court on Monday said it is not compulsory to address judges as “my lord,” “your lordship,” or “your honour.”

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It, however, declined to ban use of such terms and direct the lawyers not to do so.

“When did we say it is compulsory? You can only call us in a dignified manner,” a bench headed by justice HL Dattu said while hearing a PIL, which said addressing judges as “my lord or your lordship” was a relic of colonial era and sign of slavery.

Petitioner, advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari (75), said the court must direct implementation of a bar council resolution asking the lawyers not to address judges as “my lord.”

“You call (judges) sir, it is accepted. You call them your honour, it is accepted. You call lordship, it is accepted. These are some of the appropriate ways of expression which are accepted,” the bench told Tiwari.