Israel Khan’s Nehru suit appropriate Court attire

THE EDITOR: On behalf of the Land Tenants and Rate Payers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LTRPA), I wish to express our concern that the Chief Magistrate Mr. Sherman McNicolls has ordered Senior Counsel Mr. Israel Khan to wear a tie in order to be heard in his court. Mr. Khan is one of our Senior Legal Advisers and we have been advised by Mr. Khan that with respect to general attire, the Code of Ethics of Trinidad and Tobago provides in general terms that an attorney is required to dress in a manner appropriate to and compatible with the status of the profession as befits the dignity of the Court.

We are advised that Mr. Khan was ordered to change his Nehru suit for the traditional European jacket and tie outfit. Our membership consists of every creed and race and while it could be said that the status quo accepts that a gentleman is not “well dressed” unless he wears a tie, we consider it an affront to a great section of our membership (and society at large) for a public officer such as the Chief Magistrate to view the Nehru suit as an apparel that does not befit the dignity of the court.

Israel Khan the Nehru suit has been accepted internationally as a sophisticated and elegant mode of dress. It is unfortunate that after more than 45 years of Independence, our colonial past could still have such a sorry grip on those of us who are supposed to be exemplars in a society that is seeking first world status. We call upon our Chief Magistrate to rescind his ruling that our Senior Legal Adviser Israel B Khan SC, will not enjoy the right to audience in his Court if he (Khan) is wearing a Nehr suit.

Abdool Wahab,
Special Adviser (LTRPA)