Do English judges still wear wigs?
Today, both judges and barristers wear wigs, but each has their own style. Courtroom wigs are white, often handcrafted out of horsehair, and can cost thousands of pounds. Judges used to wear long, curled, full-bottom wigs until the 1780s when they switched to smaller bench wigs.
British lawyers follow the tradition of wearing head wigs, which is regarded as a symbol of power and respect for the law. In fact, not wearing a wig is perceived as an insult to the courts. British lawyers and judges wear wigs to portray their formality in the courtroom and to pay homage to legal history.
Until the seventeenth century, lawyers were expected to appear in court with clean, short hair and beards. Wigs made their first appearance in a courtroom purely and simply because that's what was being worn outside it; the reign of Charles II (1660-1685) made wigs essential wear for polite society.
Today, wigs are worn as a symbol of office by the legal professions. The traditional, long full-bottomed wig is now only worn by judges on ceremonial occasions such as during the procession to mark the start of the legal year (called the “kirking of the court”). A shorter, more practical style is worn in court.
Neither the judges nor the lawyers wear wigs. Both judges and lawyers wear a long black robe termed as the 'gown'.
solicitor, one of the two types of practicing lawyers in England and Wales—the other being the barrister, who pleads cases before the court.
In Canada, court attire is very similar to what is worn in England, except that wigs are not worn. Specifically, bar jackets are worn under gowns, and Queen's Counsel and judges have more elaborate cuffs than other lawyers.
Barristers do not wear robes or wigs in this jurisdiction. There is no ceremonial sitting or other event which requires robes or wigs to be worn. The District Court has announced that wigs are no longer to be worn in District Court civil matters.
Honourable. In relation to the judiciary, this title (often shortened to Hon) is given to judges who sit in the Supreme Courts in Scotland. Such a judge is referred to as The Honourable Lord/Lady followed by their surname, for example, The Honourable Lord Smith.
The Black Cap was worn by a judge when passing a sentence of death in British and Irish law. Although named a 'cap', the Black Cap is not really a fitted cap rather a plain square of black cloth which was based on Tudor court headgear.
Why do barristers wear black?
Wearing a black barrister gown and waistcoat indicates participation in and support of the justice system and gives lawyers a sense of being upholders of equality under the law. The colour black can represent dignity, honour, and wisdom, and these are values that every lawyer has to uphold.
By gripping each other by the right hand you were showing them that your hand wasn't on the hilt of your sword. Since barristers were gentleman, they trusted each other implicitly, and therefore there was no need to shake hands.
If you're curious, beneath their robe, judges most often wear formal clothes such as button-up shirts with neckties, blouses, and slacks. That said, it is not totally unheard of for them to wear less formal clothing, such as golf shirts, underneath their robes in the warmer summer months.
First, the British imposed a tax on hair powder that made wearing wigs even more expensive. Second, the American Revolution led to a desire to break with many British traditions and wigs were among the rejected fads.
Salary. Starting salaries for newly qualified solicitors in a regional firm or smaller commercial practice are around £27,000 to £60,000. Starting salaries in large City firms can range from around £60,000 to £90,000. You can expect salaries to rise year-on-year as you gain more experience.
Barristers can be distinguished from a solicitor because they wear a wig and gown in court. They work at higher levels of court than solicitors and their main role is to act as advocates in legal hearings, which means they stand in court and plead the case on behalf of their clients in front of a judge.
Advocates in Scotland (sometimes known as counsel) perform similar roles as barristers in England and Wales but undertake a rather different training process.
Judges in New Zealand have a tradition of wearing robes. In court judges wore a plain black robe and a short wig. Chief Justice Sir Michael Myers decided in the 1930's that the senior judges in New Zealand should have ceremonial robes to wear on special occasions.
Fashion Influence
In 1625, an academic paper called The Discourse on Robes and Apparel forever changed the way British high court officials dressed. This work led to the adoption of the robe and wig as the courtroom uniform to distinguish judges and barristers from other members of society.
A royal decree known as the Judge's Rules 1635 was passed by the Commission of Westminster regulating the attire worn by judges. Black or dark violet robes were worn on most occasions, while red robes were donned during criminal cases and special ceremonies.
Why do barristers wear wigs in Ireland?
The original purpose of the wigs was said to be to provide a form of anonymity and safety for judges passing unpopular sentences. Although the law in Ireland was changed in 1995 to free barristers from the obligation to wear wigs, judges are still obliged to wear them in their courtrooms.
Today wigs must be worn in Criminal cases by barristers and Judges and not to abide by this rule would be considered an insult to the Court. Wig wearing by Judges and barristers in family and civil proceedings tends to be reserved for ceremonial purposes only theses days.
Lawyers across the various legal jurisdictions of the UK have worn gowns and wigs since at least the 17th century, with their use being formalised in English common law in the 1840s. Stiff white horsehair wigs are certainly anachronistic and to outsiders frequently baffling.
'The Tie Wig' was all the rage in 1700s society. It sported two/three rows of horizontal buckled curls along the sides and back of the head. This was adopted by barristers and the style has stayed pretty much the same ever since.
Barristers do not wear robes or wigs in this jurisdiction. There is no ceremonial sitting or other event which requires robes or wigs to be worn. The District Court has announced that wigs are no longer to be worn in District Court civil matters.
solicitor, one of the two types of practicing lawyers in England and Wales—the other being the barrister, who pleads cases before the court.
The headpieces were fully adopted as proper legal wear by 1685 and came with just as many strict rules as robes. Today, both judges and barristers wear wigs, but each has their own style. Courtroom wigs are white, often handcrafted out of horsehair, and can cost thousands of pounds.
A lawyer is a person who practises law; one who conducts lawsuits for clients or advises clients of their legal rights and obligations. A barrister is a legal practitioner whose main function is to practise advocacy in court. They often have less interaction with clients.
By gripping each other by the right hand you were showing them that your hand wasn't on the hilt of your sword. Since barristers were gentleman, they trusted each other implicitly, and therefore there was no need to shake hands.
The outlet compares the wig to a uniform: "Like many uniforms, wigs are an emblem of anonymity, an attempt to distance the wearer from personal involvement and a way to visually draw on the supremacy of the law, says Newton.
Why do barristers wear black?
Wearing a black barrister gown and waistcoat indicates participation in and support of the justice system and gives lawyers a sense of being upholders of equality under the law. The colour black can represent dignity, honour, and wisdom, and these are values that every lawyer has to uphold.
In Canada, court attire is very similar to what is worn in England, except that wigs are not worn. Specifically, bar jackets are worn under gowns, and Queen's Counsel and judges have more elaborate cuffs than other lawyers.
The Chief Judge agreed, and since then BC's Provincial Court judges have worn black robes with red facing down the front and around the cape collar when they preside in court. Under their robes they wear a white shirt, black vest and white tabs or a decorative collar.
If you're curious, beneath their robe, judges most often wear formal clothes such as button-up shirts with neckties, blouses, and slacks. That said, it is not totally unheard of for them to wear less formal clothing, such as golf shirts, underneath their robes in the warmer summer months.
