Public To Have Say In Wigs, Gowns Debate
The Age
Thursday October 16, 2003
Attorney-General Rob Hulls has convinced the Law Institute to get the public's view on whether wigs and gowns should be worn in the courts.
Over the next fortnight, visitors to the institute's website - www.liv.asn.au - will be able to vote on whether wigs and gowns should be abolished or retained.
Mr Hulls opposes the wearing of wigs, but they still have fans among members of the Bar and the bench.
Supporters argue that they help instil respect for the law and protect prosecutors and criminal court judges from being accosted while not wearing them.
Bar Council chairman Robin Brett, QC, said yesterday that members of the Bar had a range of opinions about the wearing of wigs, but when last surveyed they were strongly in favour.
Unswayed, Mr Hulls is adamant that the wearing of wigs in court is a throwback that is 300 years out of fashion and a leftover we could do without.
Judges in the High Court and the Federal Court have already dispensed with wigs, while the usual practice in the Family Court is to wig up for trials but not appeals.
Supreme Court justices generally wear wigs, but several have dispensed with them while hearing civil matters, and at least one is said to rarely wear one.
© 2003 The Age
