Does “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” has been banned by High Court and Supreme Court of India?
No, “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” have not been banned by the High Courts or Supreme Court of India as a nationwide mandate.
The Supreme Court dismissed a 2013-2014 PIL seeking a ban on these terms, calling it a “negative prayer” and clarifying they were never compulsory, though respectful address is expected. Justices noted the phrases are colonial relics but left usage to discretion.
Some judges have discouraged the terms: Madras High Court Justice K Chandru banned them in his courtroom in 2009, and Rajasthan High Court preferred “Sir” in 2019. The Bar Council of India resolved in 2006 to discourage them in favor of “Your Honour” or “Hon’ble Court,” but compliance varies.
The use of colonial-era salutations such as “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” for judges in India has long been debated within the legal community. Many advocates and judicial reformers argue that these phrases reflect an outdated colonial legacy that no longer aligns with democratic principles. As a result, questions frequently arise about whether such forms of address have been officially banned by Indian courts, particularly the High Courts and the Supreme Court. However, the legal reality is more nuanced, and there is no nationwide prohibition on the use of these terms.
The Supreme Court of India addressed this issue directly in 2014 when it dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a formal ban on expressions like “My Lord” and “Your Lordship.” The Court observed that such salutations were never mandatory under any law or rule of practice. Instead of imposing a blanket prohibition, the Court emphasized that what truly matters is the respectful and dignified manner in which judges are addressed. This judgment made it clear that a statutory or judicial ban was unnecessary.
In dismissing the PIL, the Supreme Court stated that a “negative prayer” — that is, a request to prohibit something that is not mandatory in the first place — did not warrant judicial intervention. The Court recognized that while the phrases may be relics of the colonial era, India’s legal system does not compel their use. Judges, therefore, have the discretion to accept any form of respectful address, including “Sir,” “Your Honour,” or “Hon’ble Court,” leaving the choice to advocates without imposing any uniform rule.
Although the Supreme Court has not banned these terms, certain High Courts and individual judges have taken steps to discourage them. For example, the Rajasthan High Court issued a full-court resolution in 2019 asking advocates not to use “My Lord” or “Your Lordship” while addressing judges. This was framed as a request rather than a binding mandate, reflecting the court’s desire to modernize courtroom etiquette while respecting individual freedoms within the legal profession.
Similarly, individual judges across the country have expressed personal preferences regarding courtroom address. Judges in courts such as the Madras High Court and the Delhi High Court have occasionally informed advocates that they prefer not to be addressed as “My Lord” or “Your Lordship.” These directions apply only within their courtrooms and are not statewide rules. Their approach underscores a gradual but steady shift away from colonial-era language while preserving judicial flexibility.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) also contributed to this evolving discourse through a 2006 resolution advising advocates to refrain from using these archaic salutations. The BCI recommended that advocates address judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts as “Your Honour” or “Hon’ble Court,” and in subordinate courts as “Sir” or its local-language equivalent. Importantly, this resolution is advisory, not binding, and its implementation varies widely across states and bar associations.
Despite these developments, the use of “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” persists in many courtrooms for reasons of habit, tradition, or perceived formality. In some regions, young advocates continue using the phrases because they believe it demonstrates respect or aligns with expectations of senior members of the bar. The absence of a uniform directive also contributes to this inconsistency, as the responsibility for change rests largely with individual judges and local bar associations.
While India’s judiciary recognizes the colonial origins of “My Lord” and “Your Lordship,” these terms have not been banned by either the Supreme Court or all High Courts. Their use is simply not mandatory, and many judges and institutions encourage alternatives that better reflect India’s democratic identity. The shift away from these terms is happening gradually, driven by resolutions, judicial preferences, and changing professional norms rather than by any binding judicial prohibition.
No “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” in Court of India?
No, “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” are not banned in Indian courts, but their use is discouraged as colonial relics, with alternatives like “Your Honour,” “Hon’ble Court,” or “Sir” recommended instead.
The Bar Council of India amended its rules in 2006 to prescribe “Your Honour” or “Hon’ble Court” for Supreme Court and High Courts, and “Sir” for subordinate courts and tribunals, explicitly noting that “My Lord” and “Your Lordship” are outdated colonial terms. These rules aim to promote equality and respect without feudal connotations.
The Supreme Court has ruled that no specific form of address is compulsory, emphasizing dignified address without mandating “My Lord” or “Your Lordship.” Justices like PS Narasimha have urged lawyers to stop using these terms in favor of “Sir.”
Some courts, like Rajasthan High Court, passed resolutions in 2019 requesting counsel to avoid “My Lord” and “Your Lordship.” Despite this, the terms remain common in practice across many courts, with no strict enforcement or nationwide prohibition.
