SURVEY: two-thirds of respondents support retention of full court dress in civil cases


Barristers have strongly backed retention of wigs and gowns in civil cases, despite the Lord Chief Justice's hope that they would simplify their dress, according to a Bar Council survey.



It revealed that two-thirds of respondents supported retention of the current full court dress (gown, wig, wing collar and bands) in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal and High Court. Just under half (47%) favoured its retention in the county court.



These percentages were actually higher for the 132 non-barrister responses. In all, more than 2,700 responses were received from barristers, parliamentarians, solicitors, students and the public.



The survey followed the announcement in July by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers that judges in civil and family cases will cease to wear wigs, collars and bands in court from January 2008, but will wear newly-designed simple gowns.



When he announced the change, Lord Phillips said: 'It is expected that advocates will adopt a similar dress to that of the judge.'



The Bar Council will now undertake a further consultation before it reports its recommendations to Lord Phillips in March 2008.



Lord Phillips said this week: 'I have agreed with the chairman of the bar to await the recommendations of the Bar Council as to the bar's court dress and to give directions as to court dress to be worn by advocates in light of these.'



Tim Dutton QC, chairman-elect of the Bar Council, said: 'Our court dress is a hallmark the world over of the bar of England and Wales. We must, as the survey indicates, be very careful to maintain the dignity of the process, but also to provide greater clarity to the system where different practices have begun to develop in different courts.'



Lord Phillips proposed no change to court dress in criminal cases, except that solicitor-advocates should be allowed to wear the same attire as barristers.



Catherine Baksi