LAHORE: The Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) has issued notices to more than 100 hotels and restaurants across the province, directing them to immediately stop using the official uniform of “advocates” for their staff, warning of legal action in case of non-compliance.

According to a notice issued by the office of the chairman of the PbBC disciplinary committee, the council received multiple complaints that employees of various hospitality businesses were wearing attire resembling the official dress of lawyers and judges.

The notice states that the misuse of the advocates’ uniform by persons who are not enrolled with the bar is prohibited and may constitute an offence under the law.

It directs the establishments to submit details of employees wearing such uniforms, explain their duties, and respond to the allegations of misuse before the disciplinary committee. The council, which is a provincial regulatory body of lawyers, also warns if the practice continues, strict legal action could be initiated against the companies concerned, their directors, owners, shareholders and employees.

Talking to Dawn, PbBC Disciplinary Committee Chairman Abbas Ali Chadhar clarified that the move should not be construed as an attempt to portray lawyers as a privileged class.

“We do not believe lawyers are a superior class. Our only concern is that the official uniform of advocates should not be misused,” he said.

Mr Chadhar urged hotels and restaurants to modify the uniforms of their waiters and other staff so that members of the public do not mistake them for practicing lawyers.

He added that the issue was not limited to advocates’ outfit, saying that the official dress associated with judges should also not be imitated or misused.

As per the council’s notice, the prescribed uniform for male advocates comprises a black coat, white shirt, black tie, trousers (black, grey or white) or a white shalwar kameez with a black sherwani.

The prescribed uniform for female advocates comprises a black coat, a white shalwar kameez and a white dupatta.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026