The highest degree of formality is appropriate for an advocate in court – an etiquette expert

An advocate’s behavior and appearance must be appropriate to the circumstances in which they practice their profession. What may be perceived as a warm greeting between old acquaintances could, during a first meeting, come across as overly familiar and a violation of personal boundaries.

This topic was discussed during the webinar «Modern rules of etiquette for the professional development of advocates and the image of the profession», organized by the UNBA NextGen in the Volyn region. The event was moderated by the Committee’s regional representative Natalia Savchuk. The speaker was Viktoria Romashchenko, an expert in etiquette, protocol and customer service and a Candidate of Legal Sciences.

According to her, three levels of formality can be distinguished in professional interactions. The formal level applies to representation in the courtroom and communication with judges and law enforcement officials. Semi-formal covers office work and meetings with clients, while informal refers to interactions with colleagues outside of working hours.

In a business setting, the speaker recommended using one’s full name when introducing oneself. This form of introduction helps maintain professional distance and hierarchy. A transition to using a shortened name is possible later on, when it aligns with the nature and duration of the working relationship.

When greeting someone, it is also important to consider the status and role of the person you are speaking with. Address a person by their first name, and when speaking to someone senior in position, title, or rank, use their first name and patronymic or professional title, as appropriate. At the same time, a professional attitude should not depend on a person’s position. An advocate must communicate with equal courtesy toward a supervisor, an assistant, a secretary, and staff members who support the operations of the office or the court.

During the webinar, V. Romashchenko paid special attention to an advocate’s appearance in court. According to her, the more serious the case, the higher the level of formality should be. She advised choosing structured, tailored, and well-defined attire for court proceedings so that it «complements» the advocate, their thoughts, arguments, gestures, and words.

In the office, during a meeting with a client, or in informal interactions with colleagues, a lower level of formality is acceptable. At the same time, an outfit appropriate for everyday work or an evening gathering may not be suitable for a court hearing.

According to the speaker, an advocate’s professional demeanor is reflected in their words, gestures, behavior, and attitude toward every person with whom they interact.

«My message is that you should be able to professionally combine theoretical knowledge, the ability to dress well, speak appropriately, and properly convey the beauty of your inner qualities. Because today, every advocate is not only a holder of a law degree but also a bearer of culture», - concluded V. Romashchenko.