Law Weblog

Wigs and robes to go in civil courts

Sunday 24 September 2006 at 10:49 pm | In News | Post Comment

It is reported in The Times that Lord Phillips, the Lord Chief Justice, has started consulting the judiciary about scrapping wigs (and elaborate robes) in civil cases but to retain them in the criminal courts.

This issue raises its head about every five years, this time it appears to be supported by solicitor advocates who are not allowed to wear wigs. Also, it is known that a large number of High Court judges favour the change and for the first time the issue is for the judiciary to decide and not the LCD, because of the changes brought in by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

It is thought that there is likely to be some changes in attire because when Lord Phillips took office he declared his dislike judicial costumes and made it clear that he would like to do away with wigs.