Siliguri, June 11: The first-year students of North Bengal University’s law department have been asked to come to class dressed almost like lawyers from the new academic session beginning July 10.

“The new set of rules formulated by the Bar Council of India last year makes it compulsory for new entrants to be dressed in a lawyer’s attire. The rule is applicable to all law colleges in India,” said Rathin Banerjee, the head of the department, today.

However, the students will not wear the band, the gown and the coat to maintain a difference between them and the lawyers. The rule has been notified in the prospectus.

While the boys have to wear black pants, white shirts and black ties, girls can either opt for the same outfit or wear a white salwar-kameez with a white duppata or a white saree. “They can wear black sweaters during the winter,” Banerjee said. Currently, the law students attend classes in casuals.