13/05/2008

Sentence passed on judges' wigs

The traditional horse-hair wigs worn by judges will be soon no more – in civil and family cases at least – after the Lord Chief Justice yesterday unveiled a more modern bare-headed look. Instead, from 1 October, judges will adopt a natty, continental-style black gown designed by Betty Jackson, who has worked gratis as a consultant, according to the Guardian. Judges in criminal cases are less keen though, arguing that the 300-year-old headgear confers a certain dignity and, perhaps more importantly, prevents ne’er-do-wells from recognising the lawmen outside of court. The swish new robes, which have been likened to something out of Star Trek, will set the courts back £450,000 up front but are expected to save up to £200,000 a year, most of which presumably went on wig maintenance.

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