Judges wigs?

[plasticfrog]

Why do they still wear them??

Why did they wear them in the first place?

Google is your friend!

For anonymity I think - so that people didn’t know which judge had passed sentence.

Now it’s a big part of the court tradition.

Not for anonymity. Surely if that were the case they would cover faces. Think woman!

Wigs were a standard part of court dress in the 18th century and for no particular reason have not been modernised. Barristers still wear black because technically the profession remains in morning for Charles II.

DH of a friend is a HC judge and there was a whole palavar about the wig and outfit. Very expensive as well. Very traditional, he had to walk up and down a particular route all dressed up as part of the initiation.

Every now and then there is a vote as to wether they should be kept but they do make someone look very different and therefore they have been retained for the anonymity reason

There is no good reason any more. They became fashionable as a result of Charles II, and for some reason the fashion has stuck since then. Now they are seen as an important tradition.

Personally (as a court lawyer myself) I think they are a bit ridiculous and ought to be abandoned. They serve no useful function and only serve to make law appear even more elitist and exclusionary than it already does.

I did think (well actually I remembered; I was told by a friend of mine who studied law).

And it seems I am not totally wrong!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.legalcheek.com/2012/12/part-the-crowds-barrister-coming-through-the-real-reasons-behind-the-bars-love-of-wigs-and-gowns/amp/

I walked past a posh shop which sells them in London a few weeks ago, I googled the history and found it all quite interesting really

A barrister friend told me that it also made courts more intimidating/formal which helps to 'pursuade' people to not lie/tell the whole truth etc. too.

I'm sure they can be removed at the judge's discretion. I saw a programme years ago where the judge ordered them removed to make the witness (maybe a child or vulnerable adult) feel at ease.

I spent a lot of time in court for my job in the past and always used to have to fight the impulse the grab the wigs off their heads and throw them in the nearest washing machine. Horrible manky looking things. I do quite like the old traditions though. I guess it helps reinforce the solemnity of the court.

Why do they still wear them??

They don't in most courts! Wigs are still worn by Judges really only in the Crown Court (Serious criminal cases).

They are not worn by judges really in any civil cases any more. High Court judges, Court of Appeal Judges and the Supreme Court are all wig free. The Supreme Court judges don't even wear robes in Court - just suits/business dress.

Barristers on the other hand wear wigs also in the Crown Court but in civil cases only during trials, contempt of court hearings and all appeals (Court of Appeal).

Why did they wear them in the first place?

The reasons are slightly different for judges and barristers.

Barristers is because idea was the identity of the advocate is irrelevant - there should be uniformity and focus on the submissions and the words.

For judges, it is more about anonymity. You may laugh about it in the modern world where you can google almost anyone's picture - but if you are an aggressive defendant hanging around outside court, you'd be surprised how different judges look without a wig. It's particularly true for men - as baldness/hair is totally concealed.

For both, there is also the importance of creating a formal and serious atmosphere so defendants facing the law realise it is a serious matter.

DH of a friend is a HC judge and there was a whole palavar about the wig and outfit. Very expensive as well. Very traditional, he had to walk up and down a particular route all dressed up as part of the initiation.

Long wigs (full bottomed wigs as they are called) are purely ceremonial dress plus the red robes with the white fur.

High Court Judges would wear this when they are being sworn in for the first time and have to take the judicial oath. They also wear it at the opening of the legal year which has a ceremony in Westminster Abbey. That's when you see them all like this:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/lawreports/joshuarozenberg/3124242/Opening-of-the-legal-year.html

Those long wigs are never worn in Court for a hearing.

If you are interested, Stanley Ley and Ede & Ravenscroft is wear most barristers buy their wigs. The current cost for a barristers short wig is £425 at Stanley Ley

www.stanley-ley.co.uk/acatalog/Stanley_Ley_Wigs_1.html

and £560 at E &R

legal.edeandravenscroft.co.uk/BuyItem.aspx

Oops - that should say "is where" not "is wear"!

Perry Never mind the wigs - at least I now know where to buy a gavel and block! 😊

I was told by a barrister friend that newly called counsel rub their new wigs on a dusty, dirty floor to make them worn in and give the impression of experience!

Ah, Ede & Ravenscroft - popularly known amongst new barristers as Greed and Ravenscroft.

Wigs are often handed down in families who have generations who are in the practice ie: father/mother to son/daughter

Wigs are often handed down in families who have generations who are in the practice ie: father/mother to son/daughter

This is a bad idea because a wig to be comfortable - and particularly to not move when you are in court standing up and looking down at your papers - needs to fit your head precisely. A wig fitted to you won't move and so you are always better off buying your own.

It is true that young barristers often get second hand wigs to save money or are gifted them by those who don't need them any more - but they then complain endlessly that the wig doesn't fit or rubs their ears and so on.

It's not a lot of fun wearing a wig especially if it's hot and one that fits nicely makes life easier.

Enlightening.

I always thought it was to lighten the mood!

(lol, j/k)

I knew they were utterly expensive. Is it horse hair they are made of still?

Is it horse hair they are made of still?

Yes indeed.

There was a phase of nylon wigs being available but they looked terrible. I'm not sure you can still get them.

Sniggering at judges’ full bottom wigs on the website!

To provide anonymity as pp have said. My step father is in favour of keeping his.