No trousers for female lawyers - Muscat
The Opposition said it will be moving a motion to repeal a legal notice published in the past days prohibiting female lawyers from wearing trousers in court.
But this may not happen at all since a later legal notice amends that referred to by the Opposition leader when speaking in Żurrieq this morning
D Muscat told supporters in Żurrieq this morning that the notice was making it compulsory for female lawyers to wear skirts to court. Although 2009 was round the corner, he said, women were not being left free to wear what they wanted.
This was a small but important matter for it was useless to have equality laws unless males and females were treated in the same manner.
But while the original legal notice states:
“Lady advocates appearing before the said courts shall wear black or blue or charcoal grey suits, or a white blouse and a black skirt under a black gown.”
A later one adds "or trousers" after "a white blouse and a black skirt".
Dr Muscat also reiterated that Labour will also be taking Parliamentary action against the legal notice announcing the new water and electricity tariffs
He criticised the Prime Minister for not having yet said anything abour the “spying” case on the people by his party’s general secretary.
More than 15 public employees, he said, had been called for meetings at the PN's headquarters during office hours. The meetings included the involvement of people who were in secret service in the 1980s and among those present were state company chairmen.
“This is not the European country we want to live in,” Dr Muscat said.
At the beginning of his speech, Dr Muscat congratulated Maltese singer Kevin Borg who on Friday won the Swedish Idol contest.
Kevin, Dr Muscat said, had embarked on his career with One Productions and his achievements showed that the Maltese could be successful.
“If we believe in ourselves, we have the key to success. We should look ahead and work together, believing in our potential,” he said.
Dr Muscat said that could see symbols of success even in localities around Malta and Gozo where political and social clubs worked miracles with very little resources.
He said that during his visits to localities, he also toured PN clubs because he wanted to show that the time had come to close old chapters and open the doors to the future.
Although harsh, criticism had to be on points on principle. This was the leap in the quality of politics the country so greatly needed, the Opposition leader said.
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j micallef
Dec 16th 2008, 19:12
I always thought our dear Dr ABC was a legal luminary, and after all he is discussing this issue here. What a disappointment! (I am one of your long standing fans Dr ABC - so you will forgive me I hope, if I pull your leg just a little eh?)
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Dec 16th 2008, 15:15
For the record, in answer to a number of comments below:-
No legal luminaries are discussing this: the Legal Notice that started all this did not address even dress code, which was unchanged since many years ago. It was followed by an amending Legal Notice which only clarified that which most people knew already, namely that trousers were fine for female lawyers.
For some reason, perhaps because people prefer to rely on un-informed opinion rather than facts, this non-story has taken on a life of its own.
Paul Savona
Dec 16th 2008, 13:44
"A later one adds "or trousers" after "a white blouse and a black skirt".
To my reading of the article, this is an NON ISSUE. Basically addressed for nothing.
E Grima
Dec 16th 2008, 12:15
This must be the start of the silly season in Malta. An argument about female attire in courts. Shouldn't politicians leave their noses out of this issue and leave it for Judge Judy to decide? What happened to the separation of powers in Malta, anyhow?
Joe Galea
Dec 16th 2008, 11:12
It is a completely ridiculous legal notice. Female lawyers are often more smart in trousers and forcing them to wear skirts definitely because there is someone who wants to admire their legs perhaps. Otherwise, this is a stupid issue, which the government most probably is using to deviate from impending more serious ones.
Why didn't the government issue some l,egal notice to hasten court sentences instead of such stupid stuff.
GonziPN give us a break!!!
Dr. Muscat thanks for defending all the citizens even on minor issues like these.
@N. Grima: You definitely need a holiday!!
Brian Fenech
Dec 16th 2008, 09:48
Suddenly we are back in the 1800! What's wrong in female lawyers wearing trousers? This is a bit petty isn't it?
C Taliana
Dec 15th 2008, 19:18
@ F Spiteri - Well Dr. Gonzi is tackling NATIONAL ISSUES - bieb il-belt.... :)
j micallef
Dec 15th 2008, 19:07
Whlst I have already waited for justice in a court case I instituted 12 years ago, which should have been concluded in a just a few months because of its straghtforwardness - with no end in sight as sittings are postponed or deferred for the flimsiest of reasons - our legal luminaries debate the option of trousers for lady lawyers!
To rub salt in the wound, our Opposition and alternative government-in-waiting wastes its precious energy and resorces in joining in the comic fray instead of employing its political clout in hounding the administration to ensure justice for the downtrodden citizens of this Mickey Mouse country, within a reasonable time. Come on Dr Muscat, please channel your energy to champion the people's cause and ease our serious hardships, as we are not amused at seeing a waste of effort on risible issues.
Joe Cachia
Dec 15th 2008, 18:02
I heared all Joseph's speech yesterday and this issue was not the focal point of his speech contrary to what seems to be in this article. To whoom wrote this article : Why are you trying to decieve your readers by transmitting this subtile message. Yesterday joseph mentioned lot more serious trhings eg How come that before last election Austin Gatt told us that he was not going to raise the surcharge to 98 % because its a hell of a burden to the Maltese public, an then exactly after the election the surcharge war risen to 98% and now when the oil is $ 48 per barrel we are imposed a surcharge of 189 % ? WHERE IS ALL THIS IN THIS ARTICLE
F Spiteri
Dec 15th 2008, 14:51
Well done Dr. Muscat!!!!!! And thank you on behalf of citizens! Shame on whoever is discriminating against ANYthing in our era! It is ironic enough that discrimination is against female lawyers now!
Il-persuna li qed tfettaq mhix Dr Muscat, imma min kiteb din in-legal notice!!!!!!! Infact, an amendment was issued immediately, if I understood the same English we are all reading in this article!!!
And for the information of ALL, Dr. Muscat has been dealing with ALL the country's important issues ever since he was elected. an MEP. Why not ask Dottor Gonzi to deal with the important issues of our country?? Isn't he the elected Prime Minister?? Well .....
C.R. Taliana
Dec 15th 2008, 14:43
To ensure equality they should allow male lawyers to wear skirts too! :)
Wistin Schembri
Dec 15th 2008, 11:18
The earthquake is now shaking the Law Courts too!
Joseph Bilocca
Dec 15th 2008, 10:59
As if the counrty hasn't got more important issues to deal with. What a waste of time !!!!!
Corinne Vella
Dec 15th 2008, 10:07
"political and social clubs worked miracles with very little resources".
I believe Dr Muscat meant to say "with very few resources of their own".
Amaryllis Agius
Dec 15th 2008, 09:01
Well, men do find it more difficult to adopt women's habits than women do to adopt men's. Who's gonna be the first man to start the skirts-on-men fashion in Malta?
deb bugeja
Dec 15th 2008, 08:16
I find it completely smart for female lawyers to wear a smart trousers suit. I dont know why they are insisting in females wearing skirts to court.
giov DeMartino
Dec 15th 2008, 07:05
Equality of sexes? Can male lawyers wear skirts in court?
Jimmy Magro
Dec 14th 2008, 20:14
Has the Equal Commission approved the first and second legal notice?
Are these legal notices in conformity with EU Laws?
I wonder who came out with the phrase "lady advocates" in a piece of legislation.
E.Magri
Dec 14th 2008, 19:26
Rule already amended. Possibly another 'crisis' solved. Check this out.
http://doi.gov.mt/EN/legalnotices/2008/12/LN%20332.pdf
Muscat.Pat
Dec 14th 2008, 18:57
All this code dress in 2008! I never tell my male friends or my husband what to wear. Surely anyone who is not a lawyer or a judge is "mature" and responsible enought to wear what the occasion demands. As if the Courts at Valletta are running so smooth and efficient, that nothing needs fine tuning except dress codes for women!. Alas, lawyers, and the Courts are still archaic not only in their words and" posi " but even in their mentality. God's gift to Malta!
Amaryllis Agius
Dec 14th 2008, 18:44
In my opinion, not even the original legal notice is compulsorily imposing skirts on female lawyers:
If female lawyers opt for a black or blue or charcoal grey suit instead of the black skirt and white blouse under the gown, they can wear trousers. For those who took it too much to heart, a suit can be a trousers-suit or a skirt one.
The amended LN is going to simply specifically allow also a trousers if just a white blouse is worn instead of the suit.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Dec 14th 2008, 18:00
Purely for the record, the clarifying amendment having rendered the point academic, the dress code provisions in the recently published Rules of Court are - to the best of my recollection - merely a re-statement of a position that has obtained for many years. The new Rules of Court introduced a number of changes, but none that affected how advocates are obliged to dress.
Insofar as concerns the mention of "lady advocates", this admittedly somewhat archaic phrasing simply distinguishes between advocates who are obliged to wear a jacket, even in summer, and those who are not. I doubt my female colleagues feel hard done by as a consequence of being described as ladies in this context.
Mary Anne Debono
Dec 14th 2008, 17:38
I believe in appropriate dress code in certain places/occasions/times however, skirts for the "ladies", trousers for "men", that's a joke!!!!! Please!!!!
Joseph Calleja
Dec 14th 2008, 17:25
What a sexist remark. There is nothing wrong for a woman lawyer to wear a pant suit in the courts or anywhere else. Is this big brother butting into the courts business or maybe dictating a difference between the sexes, as long as either male or female, dresses approprietely I don't think the court sees any difference as long as both male/female respect the court and represent their client the best they can. There is nothing more presentable than a woman wearing a business pant suit, welcome to 2009. .
Lawrence Calleja
Dec 14th 2008, 17:09
What a plonker.
E. Vassallo
Dec 14th 2008, 16:54
Joseph, Joseph, what have you done?Trousers are allowed under this legal notice! Don't you have anything to debate?It is better to debate the lack of child care support (for women who wish to return to the workplace) from the Government rather than this blown up issue!!! Go for it Joseph skirts or trousers!!!!!
Mario Aquilina
Dec 14th 2008, 16:08
While I perfectly agree that there should be a dress code for people entering the Court, I find it hard to understand what the reason behind imposing skirts on female lawyers is. Considering that a female lawyer may be as smart in trousers as in a skirt, I can only think that stereotypical conceptions of gender are behind those who came up with this idea.
Why not concentrate on substantial court reform instead? Issues like consistency of judgment, duration of cases and other judicial matters are much more important in my opinion.
J. Borg
Dec 14th 2008, 16:04
Trousers for woman.....skirts for men
at least whilst waiting for hours in the dull courts of (in)justice
we poor mortals will have something to laugh about
...or maybe that was idea
to have all the men waiting....entertained?
Bring in the models!
John Falzon
Dec 14th 2008, 16:02
SIgh. here we go again. Why don't people understand that women have it much better than men these days and its men who need to have their rights upheld ?
For instance, Men cannot go to court without a jacket and tie, summer heat or no summer heat. Women, on the other hand (up to now) had the freedom to choose their own outfit.
Needless to say also, Women (often) get to decide whether to stay at home or go to work, whilst men (often) have little or no choice. And of course, thanks to the EU, (most of the time) Women get treated preferentially for the sake of political correctness, whilst men are consistently treated as some sort of wolf in sheep's clothing. For instance just look at social benefits, where for instance a children's allowance cheque can only (how humiliating) be deposited in a woman's account.
Or take any discussion on domestic violence. Within 5 minutes, it becomes a discussion solely about men's violence on women. It just goes on and on. The reality is that there is a long way to go before men are equal to women and thats a (sad) fact.
Jean Gatt
Dec 14th 2008, 15:38
Why is it that when there are certain rules imposed on men it is treated as the norm and when the same rules are imposed on women they are regarded as discriminatory. I don't see what the fuss is all about as these rules don't in any way hinder female lawyers from doing their work.
This is just a simple matter of dress code, men are required to dress in a certain manner as women are required to do so in a different manner.
With all due respect, it seems that Joseph hasn't found anything better to pick on about.
(God knows how many comments I'm going to get saying that I'm sexist - which I am not)
P Debono
Dec 14th 2008, 15:20
Maybe Joseph Muscat should start fighting for the rights of men to wear skirts as well! Equal rights and all that...
This is what makes the headlines in this joke of a nation....
Marie Claudine Scicluna
Dec 14th 2008, 15:13
I thought it was mediaval to think that trousers should only be weared by men !!! we r living in 2008, trousers are both weared by men and women from ages are we trying to descriminate "bil pulit lil qalziet huwa tar ragel biss" ??????
Dr. David Pollina
Dec 14th 2008, 15:06
Perhaps if they - BOTH sides - would spend some time REFORMING the foundations of the disaster which passes for a judicial system here rather than worrying so much about external appearances, it would be better.
anthony a. mifsud
Dec 14th 2008, 14:57
Who call the shots in the Court House? surely not Dr Carm MB, as this is the most childish issue that can happen in the year 2008.
Who says Lady Lawyers are smarter in skirts?
Give over, the last ten fifteen years that my memory tells me, Lady Lawyers have been wearing suits, and they look proper.
I would have agreed right out should there be a legal notice on Make up, heavey jewellery items, and fancy hair clips.
That I agree, but Skirts, I am lost for words.
Can you imagine Lawyers going in court with Kilts!!
Toni
Joe Cassar
Dec 14th 2008, 14:52
The fact that the legal notice speaks of "lawyers" and "female lawyers" is discriminatory in itself.
And the notice is clear enough, for those who want to understand. Female advocates are not allowed to wear trousers.
Here is the relevant extract:
Taqsima XII - Ilbies ta’ l-Avukati, il-Prokuraturi Legali
u tal-Membri ta’ Forza ta’ Dixxiplina
L-ilbies tal-avukati
u tal-prokuraturi
legali.
25. (1) L-avukati li jidhru quddiem xi waħda mill-qrati
superjuri u quddiem il-Qorti tal-Maġistrati (Għawdex) filkompetenza
superjuri tagħha għas-smigħ ta’ kawża għandhom jilbsu
libsa ta’ lewn ikħal skur, griż skur jew iswed, jew qalziet iswed irrigat
u ġakketta sewda, qmis bajda b’ingravata jew bow-tie suwed, griżi
jew bojod u toga sewda. L-avukati nisa li jidhru quddiem l-imsemmija
qrati għandhom jilbsu lbiesi ta’ lewn iswed jew ta’ lewn
ikħal jew griż skur, jew blouse abjad u dublett iswed, u dejjem taħt
toga sewda. Imħallef jew Maġistrat jista’ għal raġuni tajba jeżenta
avukat milli jilbes toga.
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/legalnotices/2008/11/LN%20279.pdf
N.Grima
Dec 14th 2008, 13:33
Maybe Joseph Muscat needs some repeater classes in English and etiquette... "wear black or blue or charcoal grey suits" - a women's suit incorporates a jacket/blazer and matching trousers or skirt. What the notice does is to allow women to dispose of the jacket, which is a normal thing in professional environments; however a blouse on trousers without a jacket is sometimes considered less formal. Women still more breathing space then men - men are limited to a suit, and cannot not have a jacket/blazer [nor a skirt ;)]!
L.Muscat
Dec 14th 2008, 13:13
Yes Male and Females should be treated in the same manner. Why men have to wear a tie and jacket to appear in court and woman can wear anything, e.g. miniskirts etc.
Phil Press
Dec 14th 2008, 12:50
ON THIS REALLY IMPOTANT ISSUE!!!. The powers that be have ommited, to stipulate, HAIR , NAIL VARNISH, clour and jewellery items. Surely there are more important, things afoot. Ride On.