[attach id=251634 size="medium"]The notice advising people on the appropriate dress code for court. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli[/attach]

Dressing appropriately for the right occasion leaves many in distress – and when it comes to making an appearance in court, choices often leave much to be desired.

Laughably short neck ties worn over T-shirts, tracksuit trousers and people who are hygienically challenged are just some of the problems court authorities are faced with on a daily basis.

In the hope of earning the dress code more respect, public notices have just been put up at the court house in Valletta, alerting people what not to wear.

Examples of unacceptable attire includes tight, sheer or low-cut clothing as well as shorts, tank or halter tops, flip flops, hats and hoodies.

Everyone who enters the court building is expected to dress decently. However, the word decent is subjective, said Raymond Scicluna, director of courts for support services.

While it is generally accepted that men should wear jacket and tie, when it comes to the fairer sex the lines are a little blurred. What for some looked like a short skirt may not be considered that for others, he said by way of example.

The authorities had to make sure defendants were given the facility of changing into something more appropriate

The fixing of notices had been in the pipeline for a while.

But after receiving complaints from security guards over having to ask for back-up when refusing entry to someone with the wrong dress sense, the decision was taken to put up the notice.

Director of operations Robert Grixti said that although a distinction had to be made for people who were under arrest, the authorities had to make sure the defendants were given the facility of changing into something more appropriate.

The notice, he explained, cites Rule 4 of Court Practice and Procedure and Good Order within the Criminal Code and Legal Notice 280 of 2008, Rule of Court.

This gives the director general the power to establish what can be worn in court.

Mr Scicluna believes the notice will have a positive effect.