The bare essentials

On the continuing hairy subject of wigs for solicitors, there is no doubt that solicitors do not place such a disproportionate sense of importance on court dress as members of the bar.

Nevertheless, the subject is not an entirely silly one.

I certainly would not hold back from attending court simply because I did not have a piece of horse-hair on my head.

I have attended multi-handed trials and have been the only advocate in a long line bare-headed.

I cannot recall being asked by a defendant why that was the case, but I have previously on some occasions mentioned that solicitors by tradition are excused from the necessity of wearing wigs.

If we are going to dress up we should all be in the same garb.

If the bar insists on retention then I suppose I will eventually have to buy one if only to secure my anonymity on the street and to enjoy the pleasure of kicking it around the garden to ensure a demeanour in court which my age and experience demands.

Then I will have to remember to remove it before entering judges' chambers.

More sleepless nights.

Geoff Pearson, solicitor advocate, Freeman Pearson, Sunderland