Solicitors who go to court…

[Acunningruse]

…is it the law that one has to wear a black or navy suit?

Ive just changed roles and will now be going to (County) court approximately 3 times a week for the next 12 months. So far Ive been wearing a black blazer and trousers and the waiting areas are a sea of black polyester, but can I get away with wearing eg a dress and different colour blazer? Or do I just need to suck it up and buy a boring suit for the year?

What colour blazer are you thinking of?

If you’re going as a legal representative I think this is definitely a time to dress for the job you want. Look at the Barristers and see who you would like to emulate.

What do you mean, she’s a solicitor, she has the job she wants.

Court dress is pretty much school uniform. Black, navy, dark grey.

Are you a solicitor and attending as advocate? Your clothes should not speak more loudly than your arguments was what my trainer said. Practically as well, there is still a sense sometimes that solicitors are looked down on compared to barristers especially if your judge is a barrister, so you want to blend in and look like one of them as far as possible.

There aren’t barristers- I work for a local authority so they don’t have the budget for barristers and I don’t have the clothing budget of a magic circle firm employee sadly 🤣

@Pinkcherry26 I think that’s really good advice and something to remember, thank you

But what is your actual role- solicitor as it says in the subject line.

Yes solicitor acting as advocate for the council

In that case, solicitor acting as advocate, it's school uniform colours black, navy, dark grey. Every legal representative knows that.

I go to county court a lot and never deviate from black and navy though i do sometimes wear a cream, pale pink etc blouse underneath. It sucks but the last thing you want to so is draw attention to yourself. There is one county court judge here in NI who is notorious for commenting on people's dress and I dress extra drab when in front of that judge. A couple of trousers and jackets and a dress or two with jackets should see you right. Sorry there's no way to look interesting while doing it.

There aren’t any Barristers at the Court? That woukd be unusual.

No you don’t have to buy a ‘boring’ suit. You could buy a really excellent and beautiful suit - as long as it’s appropriate for your environment. What’s the problem with that? Are you genuinely not pleased to have an opportunity to embrace something new - professionally and sartorially?

My fabulous wardrobe is one of the main things I miss about my previous court life. I appreciate you may not feel the same, but clothes are armour, after all. Don’t feel you need to join the polyester crowd - with care and attention you can buy proper clothes for reasonable prices.

Would you like some suggestions?

I'm an ex court clerk and dress code is mainly black, navy or dark grey with white or cream shirt or blouse. You can wear colour If you want and it is smart but be prepared for the judge to possibly comment on it. Some are more bothered than others. My Judge was very particular about how counsel dressed to the point he made one solicitor do up his waistcoat before allowing him to speak to him.

"Really excellent and beautiful suits" are no doubt expensive.
I always wear dresses as they're more comfortable. I hope there isn't some unwritten rule about that!

Mine didn't. Went to court for a settlement and the entire court room were literally wearing black trouser suits and mine came in wearing blue skinnies and a North Face puffer jacket. Probably the first time in my life I felt overdressed.

Remember you want to be remembered for the quality of your work and not your fashion sense.