The robes worn by judges are just about the most distinctive working wardrobe in existence. But that's not altogether surprising: after all, not many uniforms have had seven centuries to evolve.
Court dress
We probably all have a perception of what a judge looks like, whether lifted from caricatures, or from films and TV – possibly someone in a red gown and a long wig. But, in reality, most judicial office holders simply wear a business suit when sitting in court. Where judges do wear robes in court, this section explains the types of dress worn.
Recent developments
31 July 2008
Practice Direction Handed Down for Court Working Dress Reforms (PDF 57kb)
The Lord Chief Justice has handed down a Practice Direction which will introduce the wearing of a new civil robe in civil and family law cases from 1 October 2008. The new civil gown will be worn without a wig.
12 May 2008
New Judicial Civil Robe
Last July the Lord Chief Justice announced reforms to simplify judicial court working dress in England and Wales. The changes, which include the introduction of a new civil gown, are due to come into effect on 1 October 2008.
History
Strange as it might seem now, when judges first started wearing robes and wigs they probably wouldn’t have stood out on the street.
Read more about the history of court dress
Examples of court dress
This section gives a few examples of the different styles of judicial robes and court working dress.