NEW DELHI: On the lines of 'award wapsi' protests of the past, senior advocate Indira Jaising said she would start a campaign on the Independence Day against class discrimination between 'advocates and senior advocates' by shunning the coveted senior advocate gown and coat.Three decades ago, Jaising had become the first woman to be designated a senior advocate by the Bombay high court. After enjoying the senior advocate status since 1986 and getting the preference unconsciously given by the courts across the country to senior advocates, the 76-year-old irrepressible lawyer has decided to breach the dress code that distinguishes a senior advocate from an advocate.An advocate's gown does not have a flap behind its neckline as in case of a senior advocate. Jaising's tweet did not clarify whether she would also give up the senior advocate's fancy black coat and wear a normal black coat worn by advocates.Married to senior advocate Anand Grover , Jaising was the first woman to become additional solicitor general during the UPA government. Her petition challenging the mode and manner of 'senior advocate designation' conferred by the Supreme Court is pending hearing in the apex court. The SC had for more than two years not designated any advocate as senior after the petition was filed but recently clarified that it was open for the apex court to take up applications from advocates for such designation.A senior advocate generally commands a much higher fee than an ordinary advocate.

Source: Times of India August 11, 2017 22:15 UTC