Addressing judges lord, lordship, your honour not mandatory: Apex Court

January 8, 2014

The Supreme Court observed that addressing judges “my lord”, “your lordship” or “your honour” in courts is not mandatory. The judge expects to be called only in a respectful and dignified manner.
The court was hearing a petition filed advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari demanding abolishing the use of such terms and ordering the courts that the judges should not be addressed in such a traditional manner.
As per the petition, addressing judges as “my lord or your lordship” in courts is a relic of colonial era and a sign of slavery.
The court refused to accept the plea and said that it is for the lawyer to choose how he addresses the judge and the judge does not take exception if he/she is called ‘Sir’. However, the court declined to order the courts to abolish the use of the conventional terms.

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