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Between Black and White: A Comparative Analysis of the Black Coat and the White Coat in Law and Medicine

Promod Kumar Kohli, Vivekanshu Verma

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Indian Journal of Law and Human Behavior 12(2):p 93-102, July-December 2026. | DOI: 10.21088/ijlhb.2454.7107.12226.3

How Cite This Article:

Promod Kumar Kohli, Vivekanshu Verma. Between Black and White: A Comparative Analysis of the Black Coat and the White Coat in Law and Medicine. Indian J Law Hum Behav 2026; 12(2): 93-102.

Timeline

Received : April 20, 2026         Accepted : May 28, 2026          Published : December 30, 2026

Abstract

Abstract The medical and legal professions, symbolized respectively by the white coat and the black coat, represent two of the most respected and socially significant vocations. While their primary objectives differ - healing in medicine and justice in law - both professions are grounded in ethical responsibility, public trust, and professional accountability. This article undertakes a comparative analysis of these professions, examining their ethical frameworks, standards of care, decision-making processes, and mechanisms of liability. It further explores the medico-legal interface through landmark judicial pronouncements, particularly in the domain of medical negligence and professional misconduct. The study highlights both convergence and divergence between these professions and emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary awareness in an era of increasing litigation and patient rights consciousness.

References

  • 1.   Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957).
  • 2.   Kusum Sharma & Ors vs Batra Hospital & Med. Research Centre; 2010 (3) SCC 480, AIR 2010 Supreme Court 1050
  • 3.   Dr Neeraj Sud and PGIMER vs Jaswinder Singh and PGIMER 2024 SCC Online SC 3069
  • 4.   Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha. (1995) 6 SCC 651
  • 5.   Samira Kohli v. Dr. Prabha Manchanda. (2008) 2 SCC 1.
  • 6.   Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab. (2005) 6 SCC 1.
  • 7.   Parmanand Katara v. Union of India. (1989) 4 SCC 286.
  • 8.   Malay Kumar Ganguly v. Sukumar Mukherjee. (2009) 9 SCC 221.
  • 9.   Bar of Indian Lawyers v D.K. Gandhi (May 14, 2024)
  • 10.   Bar of Indian Lawyers v D.K. Gandhi (November 7, 2024)
  • 11.   Medico-Legal Society of India, Review petition in SC (Dismissed in February 2025; reference dismissal by 3-judge bench)
  • 12.   Association of Healthcare Providers and Anr. v. Union of India & Ors

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

About this article

Cite this article

Promod Kumar Kohli, Vivekanshu Verma. Between Black and White: A Comparative Analysis of the Black Coat and the White Coat in Law and Medicine. Indian J Law Hum Behav 2026; 12(2): 93-102.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. 

Received Accepted Published
April 20, 2026 May 28, 2026 December 30, 2026
DOI: 10.21088/ijlhb.2454.7107.12226.3

Keywords

Medical ethicsLegal ethicsMedical negligenceProfessional liabilityMedico-legal interfaceDuty of careBlack coatWhite coat

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Timeline

Received April 20, 2026
Accepted May 28, 2026
Published December 30, 2026

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. 


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