In a worrying augury for the Irish judiciary, who will pilot remote hearings later this month, lawyers in Florida have been rebuked for treating hearings as “casual phone conversations”.

In a letter published by the Weston Bar Association, Judge Dennis Bailey said it is “remarkable how many attorneys appear inappropriately on camera”.

He said: “We’ve seen many lawyers in casual shirts and blouses, with no concern for ill-grooming, in bedrooms with the master bed in the background, etc.

“One male lawyer appeared shirtless and one female attorney appeared still in bed, still under the covers.

“And putting on a beach cover-up won’t cover up you’re poolside in a bathing suit.”

The civil courts in Weston, Florida are holding hearings using the video-conferencing service Zoom, but criminal hearings are not going ahead.

Judge Bailey concluded: “So, please, if you don’t mind, let’s treat court hearings as court hearings, whether Zooming or not.”