Legal Wigs and Robes: Update or Stay the Same?

As you all know, the price of a legal wig and robe set is not cheap, sometimes topping $5000. Let’s put this in to perspective. Your parents could either buy a set of legal robes, or send you to St. Pauls School for about 1 semester. It’s quite a fair bit of money, given that the job could just as easily be carried out in modern clothing, for a fraction of the cost. Recognizing this, the money could be spent on much more useful things, such as sponsorship for legal students, more funding for legal-aid or to help fund local charities.

The arguments for retaining wigs include that they distinguish members of the courtroom and create a more serious attitude and that they protect the anonymity of judicial officials.

The role of a Judge is to oversee the proceedings, and not to have a relaxing sit and chat. Its serious business and attire should follow accordingly. This includes donning wigs, robes, jabots and anything associated with judicial clothing.

This custom also creates respect for the traditions of the law, and thereby, supports the institutions of modern law.  

To become a barrister or a judge is not an easy task, and some people like to show others that they have attained this position, thereby distinguishing themselves. Years of education have paid off, and they want to show off their achievements. Unsurprisingly, some people find that wearing the wig and robes of the profession they love accomplishes this goal.

Apart from tradition, anonymity is another motive why judicial officials wear wigs.

The Victorian Family Court was introduced in the 1970’s, and with it, a much less formal dress code. The Family Court, up until 1987, only used legal gowns, but not wigs. The ideology behind this was to make the court more “family friendly”.

Problems started to arise in the mid 1980’s when a series of violent attacks against judicial members of the family court occurred. Wigs were promptly reinstated in order to protect the identity of the legal practitioners.

So, what have we learned?

Well, I hope you’ve learned the traditions behind the use of wigs and robes, and that they used to be a fashion statement. And you now know some key arguments for and against the use of wigs and robes, and why they’re important.

Antiquated, awkward and unnecessary, or mandatory and traditional? You decide.

Thankyou.