It is the white coat and a stethoscope flung around the neck that describes a doctor; similarly, it is the odd overall, safety boots and cap that defines an engineer. Two weeks or sometime thereabouts, I criticized on this very forum the manner in which a certain senior magistrate had clothed herself for business of the court that day. Today, I have had the privilege of appearing before her once more. She is wearing a maroon hood and she has commenced court by first asking which club has the best Rhumba! Honestly, I didnt know how to react or feel about the level at which this particular Court has sunk to in terms of image. It would be a disgrace to the profession if Judge/Magistrate counsel(s) are allowed to approach the court wearing football jerseys, printed shorts/tights, open shoes, vitenges, spaghetti tops et al; I can assure you that to a lay person that space ceases to be a court room for purposes of dispensing justice and becomes something else entirely different. You may consider me as petty or old school but corridors of justice are hallowed and officers of the court should strive to retain its stature as such and resist vehemently any attempt to ridicule it either through dress or manners. I believe the reforms sponsored by the Honourable CJ are noble and well intentioned but if it is a dress down Friday, please be casual but smart. A court room is not a private office.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:33:48 +0000