“Lawyers appearing at the UK’s highest court will no longer have to wear traditional dress, it was announced today.”
The Independent, 21st November 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“The English judiciary has long been regarded as a bastion of conservative mores and sartorial continuity. So when, 10 months ago, former designer of the year Betty Jackson ripped up 300 years of tradition by introducing a new robe for some of England’s most trenchant legal minds, her chutzpah raised eyebrows far beyond the High Court.”
The Independent, 27th March 2009
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“The Chairman of the Bar has today issued guidance on court dress regarding the Practice Direction issued by the Lord Chief Justice dated 31 July 2008.”
The Bar Council, 20th November 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“Judges in civil and family cases in England and Wales have stopped wearing wigs as part of a new dress code.”
BBC News, 1st October 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Practice Direction (Court Dress) (No 5)
Supreme Court
“Judges in civil cases would wear a new civil robe, without a wig, as from October 1, 2008, and would be distinguishable by different coloured tabs.”
The Times, 19th August 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date if publication.
Practice Direction (Court Dress) (No 5); [2008] WLR (D) 285
“A new civil robe, to be worn without a wig, would be introduced for judges in civil cases from 1 October 2008.”
WLR Daily, 4th August 2008
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
“Practice Direction (Court Dress) (no.5) and Amendment no.20 to the Consolidated Criminal Practice Direction (Court Dress).”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 31st July 2008
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
“Like the new gown for judges? You’re in the minority; splutterings of dismay and derision are far more common.”
The Times, 15th May 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“For 300 years the wig and gown have symbolised the authority of the court. All that will change in October, when judges in civil and family cases will ditch their horsehair wigs and instead be dressed by a designer whose trademark is ‘funky British clothes for aspiring funky British girls’.”
The Times, 13th May 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Last July the Lord Chief Justice announced reforms to simplify judicial court working dress in England and Wales. The changes, which include the introduction of a new civil gown, are due to come into effect on 1 October 2008. Fashion designer, Betty Jackson CBE, very generously worked on a pro-bono basis as the design consultant for the new gown.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 12th May 2008
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
“The Bar Council is carrying out a further consultation on court dress in civil, family and ceremonial proceedings. Click here for a link through to the consultation paper. All members of the Bar and interested third parties are welcome to comment and all completed consultation papers should be sent to janbye@barcouncil.org.uk or by post to Jan Bye at 289-293 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HZ no later than 4.00pm on 19 April 2008.”
The Report and Supplementary Report on the first consultation exercise
The Bar Council, 17th March 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“A Yorkshire criminal law specialist has laid claim to being the first solicitor-advocate to wear a wig in court after appearing at 10am last Wednesday at Doncaster Crown Court.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 10th January 2008
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Practice Direction (Court Dress) (No 4): [2007] WLR (D) 347
“Solicitors and other advocates with rights of audience have the option to wear wigs in circumstances where they would be worn by members of the Bar.”
WLR Daily, 8th January 2008
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
“Plans which would have forced judges in civil courts to ditch their wigs have been postponed.”
The Independent, 8th December 2007
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“It’s stripping off on a hot beach somewhere — not putting on 18th-century costume — that will be occupying the minds of most lawyers this week. But wigs and gowns will undoubtedly be exercising them before too long.”
The Times, 23rd August 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
