The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Lords and judges

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Lords and judges

This refers to the editorial "Lords are judges after all" (April 25). Bidding adieu to the colonial relics, `My Lord' and `Your Lordship,' is welcome. It may be a seemingly trivial step but is a prelude to better reforms and changes in the legal system.

It is also absurd for lawyers to wear thick black coats in the Indian summer. Reforms such as seating witnesses as in the U.S., rather than making them stand for a long time, can also be considered.

T. Marx,
Karaikal, Pondicherry

* * *

The Bar Council of India's decision to dispense with the use of `My Lord' and `Your Lordship' while addressing judges is in poor taste. There are other important issues the Bar Council can concentrate on.

It can encourage lawyers to work towards quick delivery of justice, reduce the financial burden on clients, and urge them to prevent the strangulation of justice by the wealthy and powerful.

K. Mallick,
Hyderabad

* * *

If the discontinuation of addressing judges as `My Lord' is going to contribute to improvement in the dispensation of justice, let us accept it.

The position of `Worshipful' Mayors, against whom councillors hurl abuses, besides furniture, microphones, and paper-weights, is nothing to be proud of either.

M.K. Nagaratnam,
Coimbatore

* * *

For all of us, court is a temple and judge god. The word `Sir' is no doubt polite. But it implies that one is seeking a favour. Its usage will not lend reverence to the bench.

T.S. Gopalakrishnan,
Chennai

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