By A. S. Gidan-Wankey, Esq.

The philosophy behind this article is predicated upon the wise declaration that “the beauty of salt is in its taste; and once a salt loses its taste, it will irredeemably lose its value”. In the same footing, Yusuf O. Ali SAN, equally observed that “..whether we like it or not, people judge us by the way we dress”.

Owing to the fact of history the Legal Profession is widely known as profession that harbors near-flawless human beings in all ramifications. The key plank of this perfection might not be unconnected with its unique mode of dressing which make lawyers to look immaculately dressed, smartly sensational, neatly attractive, finely pleasing and elegantly presentable especially in their professional attires. Thus, lawyers are human beings in angel’s (apparel).

It is a glowing testimony that the due respect being accorded to a lawyer is attracted by his mode of appearance, comportment and what he wears. Is it not said the way you dress, ditto you will be addressed? The clarion call for one’s dressing portrays his personality is inherently rooted and permanently glued to the legal profession to the extent that, the general public identifies lawyers even at ‘burial ground’ or when such learned friend is kitted in his native apparel. The members of public have already presumed that as a Legal Practitioner, you are neat and smart whether in your professional outfit or even when you are wearing your personal attires. “Because of this, they see you as a true lawyer that can be related with and even trusted to handle their affairs.” On the contrary, the members of the general public are afraid to brief a lawyer who is not properly dressed. In fact, out of experience, clients are not happy when their opponent’s counsel is properly dressed and their own is shabbily dressed!

I pause to ask these nagging questions: Do you know that unkempt dressing is unethical? Do some lawyers know that dressing can be abused, the same way drug is being abused? When last did you wash your gown? Do some lawyers really look into a mirror before stepping out for work? Are some lawyers reckless enough to have forgotten the anthem encapsulated in the Rules of Professional Conduct? Do you know that good packaging attracts fat briefs, the same way shabbily appearance dampens the opportunity to get big deals?  My disturbing realization of shabby dressing by some colleagues ever since I joined the noble profession is what raised my spirit and made me automatically interested to pen down this article with a view to securing the profession from the damn mess of losing its long-standing respect, values and status in the eyes of the general public.

A quick interrogation of Rule 30 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2007 reveals that “a lawyer is an officer of the court and accordingly, he shall not do any act or conduct himself in any manner that may obstruct, delay or adversely affect the administration of justice.” Accordingly, Rule 31 (1) provides further “a lawyer shall always treat the court with respect, dignity and honor.”  Most importantly Rule 36 provide as mandatory Courtroom decorum that “a lawyer shall be attired in a proper and dignified manner…and conduct himself with decency and decorum, and observe the customs, conduct and code of behavior of the court and customs of practice at the bar with respect to appearance, dress, manners and courtesy”  

There is no modicum of doubt the words “proper”, “decorum,” “dignified”, “decency”, “conduct” “courtesy” and “respect” in the relevant Rules cited above enjoin that, a lawyer must be neat, clean and smartly suited in his appearance and outlook. True enough, neat appearance is part of the “respect” a lawyer is required to accord to the court and his colleagues as well. Beyond his outfit, a lawyer is equally expected to be unique even in his hair style, neck tie and so on. It is therefore unethical, unprofessional and flagrant breach of the Rules of Professional Conduct for a lawyer to look dirty, disorganized, and haggard! Thus, to appear dirty in court amounts to disrespect to the court, the judge and to the “mighty temple of justice”. It is therefore unethical for a lawyer to be dirty and untidy.

True enough, dressing is one of the fundamentals of a good lawyer. Therefore, all Legal Practitioners must recognize the power of dressing in transforming person’s   professional confidence and self-belief. The way you dress is your visual Curriculum Vitae (CV) and you only have one chance to make a good impression, so it is important to make it the best you can. Most importantly and quite telling, dressing is a mark of respect to the court itself. Please note that as a lawyer, how you present yourself will impact how others perceive you. Also, dressing accords huge self-esteem to a lawyer among his colleagues, clients and the general public. “You need to have neat and well-groomed hair, it is good to travel with a hair brush, the weather can play havoc with your hair. Go easy on the perfume or aftershave. Remember, the small things matter, so no white socks wear dark ones, avoid a comedy tie and make sure your shoes are not scuffed, or dirty. Avoid brown shoes or canvass. As a lawyer always think about the message you are conveying through your modus of dress. Therefore, any Legal Practitioner who appears neat and clean can competently project an appearance. It may seem obvious but make sure your dresses fit and they are ironed! You would not appear very professional if your dress is wrinkled and crumpled. It is therefore apposite for all lawyers to instill and inculcate the culture of good appearance in order not to bring the legal profession to disrepute.

With respect, it is degrading and unbecoming of a Legal Practitioner to appear in rough wrinkled, or tattered suit, shirt, tie, collar or collaret (as the case may be), wigs and gowns. As a first-class citizen, a Legal Practitioner must portray himself as gentleman both in conduct and appearance always. Appearance speaks volumes on lawyer’s personality. The wig which stand for maturity must be worn to fit, not put or hung carelessly on the head. The gown must be straight (and well-ironed) not rumpled. The collar/collaret and bib must be white and iron so that it can stand out. “It is not in doubt that an improperly dressed legal practitioner can be embarrassed in court by judges or by some senior colleagues in the presence of their clients which may culminate into the legal practitioner losing such brief as the client may decide to withdraw his file from such a lawyer.”

What am grappling to put across has been remarkably explained by the Chief Judge of Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Justice I. U. Bello in the following words “it is imperative for Legal Practitioners to dress appropriately in a manner that promotes respect for the legal profession as well as enhance the dignity of Nigerian Courts”. Note also, it is a mark of excellence for a lawyer to dress elegantly. Because, beyond his intellectual capacity, people get overwhelm by lawyer’s appearance first before his neat methodical mind. I make bold to say that improper and untidy dressing may amount to an abuse to a lawyer’s intellectuality just the way proper dressing arouses self-respect and encomiums even among fellow colleagues!

To drive my point back home, there is growing sense of shame in the manner some lawyers wittingly or unwittingly dress to court these days. I repeat it is deeply baffling, mind boggling and heartrending to see lawyer’s shirt or collar looking yellowish or brownish. In some cases, decayed collar, squeezed bib. It is shocking to the marrow to see a lawyer wearing brown shoe and more often without socks.   Shoe caked with dust as if he is coming back from farm or village stadium. What is more disrespectful and disgusting to the court than untidy and shabby appearance!

One of the famous ‘Law Principalities’ in Nigeria, Yusuf O. Ali SAN, observed with greatest concern that “Whether we like it or not, people judge us by the way we dress. Our sartorial image is the packaging of our personal brand. Do you always wear what you have always done, instead of thinking about clients, their expectations, the environment and the objectives from your meeting? The learned Senior Advocate further posits that “how you present yourself says a lot about yourself, so if you think you are slick and city- confident look the part consistently. Remember, shoes always get noticed. Your shirts, cuff-links, tie, hairdo or haircut, your mien and so on, adds to your personality.” On his part, Hon. Justice L.H Gumi, Chief Judge (Rtd.) remarkably elucidated and emphasized that “it is necessary for a Legal Practitioner to be decently dressed and not dress in an abnormal indecent or unbearable way”

Finally, it is an unpardonable own goal to the noble profession for a lawyer to look dirty and haggard. Indeed, it’s a slap to the profession and by extension to justice system for a lawyer to dress unkempt. One of the commodious melting pots of Legal Education, Prof Abiodun Amuda-Kannike, SAN beautifully submit it up in the following words: “it is our submission that for a successful lawyer to cap his success, his dressing must not only be neat but must be decent to the society, the judge and fellow lawyers that must relate with him. It is not just an advice to say that a Legal Practitioner should dress well, it is mandatory that the Legal Practitioner must dress well and be neat at all time; it is even professional misconduct to be dirty and not to dress well.”

“Lawyers are not dirty!”

RECOMMENDATION

It is the sentiment of the writer that the following recommendations (if fully implemented) by NBA, Courts, Law Firms and Lawyers generally would safeguard the Legal Profession from disrepute:

NBA

  1. Establishment of NBA Dress Code Committee (both at National and State Branches)
  2. Constituting NBA Dress Code Disciplinary Panel (ditto)
  3. Providing long standing mirror at NBA secretariat (ditto)

COURTS

  1. Presiding Judges should as matter of enforcement caution any lawyer who is dirty and dressed shabbily.
  2. Reporting to the NBA any lawyer who appears dirty and disorganized
  3. Each Courtroom should have a long-standing mirror at the point of entry.

LAWYERS GENERALLY

  1. Self-Discipline
  2. Speak up to a colleague who abuses standard form of dressing.
  3. Report to the NBA any erring lawyer

 Law Firms

  1. Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Principal Partners and Senior Colleagues should endeavor to lead by example when it comes to appearance.
  2. Learned Senior Colleagues should provide quarterly wardrobe package for their young ones.
  3. Enforcement of dress code

Written By A. S. Gidan-Wankey, Esq., (NBA-Kano Branch).