Sajeda Momin

London: After 300 years, British judges are throwing out their horsehair wigs and frilly gowns and donning a more modern, sleek look. The new gown has been designed by Betty Jackson and is a simple dark navy and black gown fastened with poppers, and colour-coded bands on the collar to denote seniority.

Gold bands for Court of Appeal judges and heads of High Court divisions, red for the High Court judges, lilac for circuit judges when they sit as deputy High Court judges and blue for district judges.

Ironically judges in Britain’s highest court, the House of Lords, wear no wigs and gowns but may adopt a simple black gown when it becomes the supreme court in October 2009.

Judges presiding over criminal cases will continue to wear their wigs insisting that they add to the dignity of proceedings and confer anonymity which stops villains recognising them out of court.

The new dress code has been pushed through by Britain’s most senior judge, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers. He has wanted to bring in the new look for the last three years and so be rid of the wigs and changing into five different outfits depending on season and occasion.

Lord Phillips who modelled the robes for the press said he was very pleased with the new look.

“I’ve not got 100 per cent support but I have the majority. I hope that after wearing the new gown for a while everyone will be happy,” said Lord Phillips.

The Bar Council has twice consulted it members about changing their dress, but barristers have shown a ‘profound attachment’ to their wigs and gowns.

“There is a strong belief in the need for dignified attire to be worn by advocates in the setting of the courtroom,” according to the consultations report.

The new gowns will cost £450,000 to supply to all judges in civil cases, after which there will be an estimated annual savings of around £200,000. Over 800 robes are being made by Ede and Ravenscroft in London,William Northam in Cambridge, Taylors of Oxford and Gray & Son of Durham and will worn in courts from October 1 this year.

Source : DNA