Stop calling me ‘My Lord’ and I will give you my half salary

Appeal by Justice PS Narasimha to the lawyers

(Credit – Livelaw)

New Delhi – Justice PS Narasimha, judge of the Supreme Court, recently expressed displeasure at being repeatedly addressed as “Your Lordship” and “My Lord”.

“How many times you will say ‘My Lord’ ? If you stop saying this, then I will give you half of my salary, why don’t you use ‘Sir’ instead ?” Justice PS Narasimha told a lawyer during a hearing.

In 2008, Justices S Ravindra Bhat and S Muralidhar, who were then judges of the Delhi High Court, urged lawyers not to use these terms to address the judges.

Usage since British era

In 2006, the Bar Council of India had passed a resolution prohibiting the usage of such terms stating such usage was a relic of the colonial past. This prohibition to use these words was mentioned in the Gazette as well. Still the usage of these words continue.

Editorial Perspective

Why is the usage of these words not legally banned ?