Judicial Court Working Dress - Update

In July the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, announced his intention to introduce new judicial court working dress (no change in crime; no wigs in civil plus the wearing of a new civil robe) at the start of 2008.

Although the design of the gown is now confirmed, and will be made public early in the New Year, production details are still being worked out.

As it will not be possible to manufacture gowns for all the judges who will need them by that date, Lord Phillips has decided to postpone the introduction of the changes in court dress until the start of the next legal year, 1 October 2008.

Advocates

In the meantime the Lord Chief Justice will hand down a practice direction before the Christmas vacation to permit solicitors and other advocates, as formally defined in s27 (9) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, to wear wigs in circumstances where they are worn by members of the Bar.

The practice direction will come into effect on 2 January 2008.

Notes for Editors

1. "Lord Chief Justice announces reforms to court working dress", JCO press notice 27/07 dated 12 July 2007.
2. Section 27 (9) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990:

   (9) In this section -

   "advocate", in relation to any proceedings, means any person exercising a right of audience as a representative of, or on behalf of, any party to the proceedings;

   "authorised body" means -

   (a) the General Council of the Bar;

   (b) the Law Society; and

   (c) any professional or other body which has been designated by Order in Council as an authorised body for the purposes of this section;