Avoid Honorifics 'My Lord', 'Your Lordship: Justice Krishna Bhat of Karnataka High Court to lawyers

Justice Krishna Bhat of the Karnataka High Court has requested lawyers appearing before his court to avoid using terms such as "Lordship" Or "My Lord" to address the judges on the Bench.

Justice Bhat further suggested that lawyers could use phrases such as "sir", which is consistent with the dignity of the Court under Indian circumstances.

In this regard, a note which formed part of the daily causelist of Justice Bhat's court stated the following:

"Learned Counsel are requested to avoid addressing the Court with excessive honorifics as " My Lord" or "Your Lordship", but are requested to adhere to a practise consistent with the dignity and decorum of the Court which is more appropriate with Indian circumstances like " Sir"."

While commencing the hearing of cases on Friday, Justice Bhat also orally told the advocates that the note was aimed at ensuring a more contemporary way of addressing the judges, The Hindu reported.

Justice S Muralidhar, currently Chief Justice of Orissa High Court also follows the practice of asking lawyers not to address him as 'My Lord' or 'Your Lordship'.