Mini Skirts & Blings Banned in Court Rooms

It’s no longer casual business for legal professionals as the Law Society of Kenya moves to curtail revealing attire for practicing Advocates of the High Court. LSK Secretary Apollo Mboya and Chairman Eric Mutua said female lawyers should not wear revealing clothes, including sleeveless shirts or dresses.

Female lawyers on duty will also have to leave home their colourful jewelry /bling, avoid flashy hairstyles and leave as little skin as possible exposed. “Wearing of culottes, shorts and jeans are not allowed – whether they bare suites or not – skirts must be of dark colours and at least knee length,” said Mutua adding, “Blouses must be black, charcoal, grey, navy blue or similar colours and may be printed materials of a combination of the colours together with cream and white.”

“Shoes that expose the toes of both male and female lawyers are banned unless suffering from a feet ailment when sandals can be allowed. Shoes must be black, grey, navy blue or brown,” the LSK chairman said.

Mboya said the LSK Council revised the dress code following pronouncements on dressing by the Chief Justice that created confusion last year. He stated that the LSK Council, after visiting some courts upcountry, were shocked that some judicial officers dressed down in jeans and T-shirts on Fridays. Mboya said advocates should not dress down on any day of the week when appearing before a court or tribunal.