All about a gown!

Kings have long gone
And so have their crowns
But we still have 'Milords'
And coveted 'senior gowns'!

Designation was an honour
And it used to be very rare
Done behind closed doors
Away from the public glare

Mostly meritorious got in
Few questionable ones
Such as the 'connected'
Or local Bar's big guns

Everything was subjective
There was no objective test
Whatever wise milords did
Was deemed to be the best!

Then came a legal challenge
Followed by a major change
Parameters were laid down
One had to be in that range

Palace doors were now open
News spread far and wide
Aspirants started creeping in
From every nook, corner, side

Several thirsts got quenched
Desires long-held were sated
Faces hardly seen in retail
In wholesale were designated

Still, thanks to the 'interview'
Milords did retain their clout
Meritorious deserving few
Are beginning to be kept out!

Some seniors back old system
Their opponents too are adamant
Who gets the gown, who does not?
Makes no difference to a litigant!

Raju Moray writes a regular column for The Leaflet, titled 'Adalat Antics'.

If you love the smell of paper along with spicy satire and the ring of laughter, Raju Moray's new book Tales of Law & Laughter is out now.