The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that lawyers should shed certain courtroom mannerisms which are relics of the colonial past, including use of language like "beg to appear" before the court..Lawyers often start their arguments by saying "I beg to appear for xyz" as the same is considered part of courtroom etiquette. When a lawyer who was about to present his case before the Jalpaiguri circuit bench today began by saying, "I beg to appear for the appellant," Justices Harish Tandon and Apurba Sinha Ray interjected.The Bench told the lawyer that he has a constitutional and statutory right to appear before the Court, and that right cannot be denied by anyone. Using the word "beg" when seeking permission to present arguments reflects a colonial mindset, the Court remarked."Why do you people use the word “begging”? This colonial expression has gone now and we are independent. You have a constitutional and statutory right to represent. You can say that I am appearing for the appellant. You have a right. Nobody can deny you. Why do you use the word beg?" the Court said..The Court was hearing an appeal filed by a wife challenging an earlier decree of eviction and possession of the house she was residing in..Recently, Justice Krishna S Dixit of the Karnataka High Court too had expressed similar sentiments."Why do you beg? It is your right to appear," Justice Dixit told a lawyer who had "begged" to appear before it.
The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that lawyers should shed certain courtroom mannerisms which are relics of the colonial past, including use of language like "beg to appear" before the court..Lawyers often start their arguments by saying "I beg to appear for xyz" as the same is considered part of courtroom etiquette. When a lawyer who was about to present his case before the Jalpaiguri circuit bench today began by saying, "I beg to appear for the appellant," Justices Harish Tandon and Apurba Sinha Ray interjected.The Bench told the lawyer that he has a constitutional and statutory right to appear before the Court, and that right cannot be denied by anyone. Using the word "beg" when seeking permission to present arguments reflects a colonial mindset, the Court remarked."Why do you people use the word “begging”? This colonial expression has gone now and we are independent. You have a constitutional and statutory right to represent. You can say that I am appearing for the appellant. You have a right. Nobody can deny you. Why do you use the word beg?" the Court said..The Court was hearing an appeal filed by a wife challenging an earlier decree of eviction and possession of the house she was residing in..Recently, Justice Krishna S Dixit of the Karnataka High Court too had expressed similar sentiments."Why do you beg? It is your right to appear," Justice Dixit told a lawyer who had "begged" to appear before it.