Judges wigs?

[plasticfrog]

Why do they still wear them??

Why did they wear them in the first place?

Good plan, depending which side of the room you're on...

Last time we were the defendants. When we won my boss bought me a very large drink. I needed it.

Well done. I can imagine the stress. I really can.

Don't they dress like they do because they're in mourning for Queen Anne?

I wore a wig when I was forced to testify in a criminal case.

I was absolutely terrified to go out there looking like myself - no protection for the likes of us! So I borrowed a long brown wig from a friend and wore ridiculously high shoes. When my friends came to pick me up to take me to court they asked if I was in when I answered the door to them. So it worked

I think Springydaff's submission says it all, m'lud. You may not be wearing an actual mask, but the wig changes your appearance sufficiently to give you some security. I used to prosecute horrible local criminals all the time and lived alone. And I once cross-examinined someone for half an hour who it turned out lived about ten doors away from me. I was in the court building without my wig later on and he looked straight at me and drew a blank.

How do you know where to buy a gavel and block? Why should a judges or barristers outfitters sell them? English and Welsh Courts don't use them.

I don't know about Scotland or N Ireland, but I don't think they do either.

@MatildaTheCat

I am almost certain that the high court judge in a case I was involved with did wear a wig plus robe and neck piece.

Before 2008, High Court Judges did wear wigs even in civil cases.

Today, a High Court Judge would also wear a wig if they were sitting in the Crown Court hearing a criminal case.

But post- 2008, High Court judges for civil cases are wig free.

Of course it could just be that your Judge looked like he/she was wearing a wig!!! Not impossible. As a group they aren't the most stylish bunch!

@MyLearnedFriend

Mine has never been cleaned. It does not smell. (And we are talking 15yrs).

I don't know anyone who has ever had their wig cleaned. Apparently, Ede and Ravenscroft offer a wig cleaning and re-curling service!

Wigs are like any piece of personal property - some people look after them better than others and some people use them more than others.

I've seen some wigs that look like infested life forms!

How do you know where to buy a gavel and block? Why should a judges or barristers outfitters sell them? English and Welsh Courts don't use them

I don't know about Scotland or N Ireland, but I don't think they do either

Because they are cool to keep on your desk at home or work to randomly bang, it can help you think.

This is the main wig retailer for Australia www.ludlows.com.au/barrister-wigs-stands/

The synthetic wig is the same price as the horsehair one. $1350