Judges abandon wigs for 'Star Trek' look (Britain)

[depakid]

Source: Melbourne Sun Herald

BRITISH judges have abandoned a 300-year-old tradition of wearing horsehair wigs to a chorus of mockery from fashion critics and traditionalists, who say the new robes have turned them into Star Trek look-a-likes.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, felt the old-style wig and gown look was out of touch with the 21st century and thought it was time to go bare-headed.

So from October, judges hearing civil and family cases in England and Wales will don a new robe designed by Betty Jackson, who also makes "funky British clothes for aspiring funky British girls.''

They will wear simple black gowns fastened with poppers (snap fasteners) and decorated with gold, red or lilac bands depending on their seniority.


One paper said the robes would make the wearer look like Disney villain Cruella de Vil


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23696454-663,00.html

[Lautremont]

1. Can't have English judges looking silly.

Fact: More than two dozen criminals each year are allowed to go free simply because the powder from the judge's wig has caused them to violently sneeze while on the stand.

[qazplm]

2. The judges wearing red will be killed

15 minutes into the trial.

[harmonicon]

3. hahahah...

good one.

[eggplant]

4. almost too subtle.

Wow, that one took me waaay too long to get. That's pretty funny!

[area51]

6. You're bad.

:spank: :rofl:

[Tesha]

12. What a Guy (Fleegman)!!

[harmonicon]

5. Does this mean that there will be good deals to be had on surplus wigs?

I'm really starting to go bald, and think that a powdered wig could be the answer.

[T_i_B]

9. Maybe that could be next big fashion!

Personally, I'm wishing that Hi-viz jackets become trendy at some point.

[harmonicon]

17. I have a brit rail jacket that gets a lot of positive comments

I had it for 10+ years before I moved to the UK, but of course everyone here knows what it is. It's usually fine, except for when confused old ladies want to ask me about where the train station is.

[T_i_B]

20. That can be an issue

People can think you are someone official when you wear Hi-Viz. I wouldn't wear one inside a music festival for instance as everyone would think you are a steward.

[AP]

7. I like it. Infinitely better than a wig. And no lightening bolts.

[depakid]

10. Lord Chief Justice Phillips before and after

----------

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/05/14/judge_narrowweb__300x543,0.jpg

[PassingFair]

11. Well, he certainly has the ankles for it...

I kind of like the new robes.

Everyone will look like
Christopher Lee for some
reason....

[LiberalFighter]

16. They should announce that it will save the taxpayers money

There has to be a definite cost savings considering the accessories shown in the old getup vs the new.

Possibly won't have as much expense in cleaning either.

They can probably wear regular dress shoes instead of those buckle shoes.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. Looks a bit "The Weakest Link" to me (nt)

[FVZA_Colonel]

8. Though much less ostentatious it does make me think of the get-up Q wore in

Encounter at Farpoint and All Good Things.

[Tesha]

13. Are you sure???

[MikeNearMcChord]

14. Now that's more like it

[MorningGlow]

15. No! Not that!

Monty Python will be obsolete...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=g_oMeNJfLEI&feature=related

:rofl:

First Judge (very camp): Oh, I've had such a morning in the High Court. I could stamp my little feet the way those QC's carry on.
Second Judge (just as camp): Don't I know it, love.
First Judge: Objection here, objection there! And that nice policeman giving his evidence so well - beautiful speaking voice ... well after a bit all I could do was bang my little gavel.
Second Judge: You what, love?
First Judge: I banged me gavel. I did me 'silence in court' bit. Ooh! If looks could kill that prosecuting counsel would be in for thirty years. How did your summing up go?
Second Judge: Well, I was quite pleased actually. I was trying to do my butch voice, you know, 'what the jury must understand', and they loved it, you know. I could see that foreman eyeing me.
First Judge: Really?
Second Judge: Yes, cheeky devil.
First Judge: Was he that tall man with that very big... ?
Second Judge: No, just a minute - I must finish you know. Anyway, I finished up with 'the actions of these vicious men is a violent stain on the community and the full penalty of the law is scarcely sufficient to deal with their ghastly crimes', and I waggled my wig! Just ever so slightly, but it was a stunning effect.
First Judge: Oh, I bet it was... like that super time I wore that striped robe in the Magistrates Court.
Second Judge: Oh, aye.

[galledgoblin]

19. sweet!

I think they look sharp, but I may be biased
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Judge_Advocate_General
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Judges_and_arbiters

[Elspeth]

21. Fresh from the Ministry of Silly Frocks, no doubt

:)

[kskiska]

22. Rehnquist designed his own