SINGAPORE —District Judges at the Subordinate Courts may not be the only ones donning judicial robes, as lawyers have been asked if they would like to follow suit — a move the majority of 15 lawyers TODAY contacted said they were against.

Those against it questioned its purpose, with some calling the wearing of the robe “cumbersome” as lawyers may have to attend several hearings at different court rooms within a day at the Havelock Road complex.

A spokesperson for the Law Society of Singapore said he was asked on May 30 whether practising lawyers should be robed during open court hearings at the Subordinate Courts.

A week earlier, District Judges had started wearing robes when presiding over open court hearings, the first of many initiatives the Subordinate Courts said was aimed at enhancing its standing. The Law Society sent an e-mail to its more than 4,000 members on Thursday to seek their feedback, before saying it would express “a view on behalf of the profession”.

In response to TODAY’s queries, a spokesperson from the Subordinate Courts noted that lawyers currently wear robes for open court hearings at the Supreme Court.

He added: “With the introduction of robes for judges in open court hearings at the Subordinate Courts, we received some feedback from lawyers that they would also like to be similarly robed.”

Among the 15 lawyers TODAY interviewed, 10 disagreed with the idea.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan, who has been practising for 25 years, felt that it would be “cumbersome” for lawyers to wear robes at the Subordinate Courts.

There is “a greater degree of solemnness” for proceedings in the Supreme Court, he noted.

“In the Subordinate Courts, you deal with day-to-day kind of disputes. So, having lawyers move around in robes may be quite difficult for parties,” added Mr Lim, who is also a Member of Parliament.

Mr John Abraham, who has been practising for 38 years, noted that there are “too many matters” that are heard in the Subordinate Courts. Besides criminal and civil matters, the Subordinate Courts also hear cases relating to family law.

“Can you imagine going for a night court and having to wear robes on top of what we are carrying?” he asked.

Lawyers who were for the idea said it would add decorum to proceedings.

“It really connects us to the history of the profession and it’s a reminder for the profession as a calling and not just a business,” said Mr Choo Zheng Xi.

Mr Foo Cheow Ming, who has been practising for 24 years, felt that wearing the robe lent “a distinction” to the legal profession, citing how surgeons and policemen are distinguished by their uniforms.

Mr Subhas Anandan, President of the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore, disagreed.

“I think what is important is for the lawyer to present his case respectfully, very ably to the court and for the court to give proper judgement, good judgement. Then people will be impressed automatically, there will be respect,” he said.