y do lawyers hv 2 wear that wig??

herby · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 04:04 PM

mary57whalen · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 06:13 PM

Started in England. Made them feel realimportantt.Some of that has carried over today incertainn courts...Mary.

Gravy · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 06:24 PM

Tradition. I think they're down to wearing just the robes in most of the Commonwealth, though. Certainly in Canada.

emanwelgwent · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 09:42 PM

in the UK with wig is only worn by Barristers in criminal cases and criminal appeals.Historically, lawyers always distinguished themselves from everyone else by their clothes. Even in the 15th century, they worn white coifs, which had been out of fashion for about 100 years. Wigs happened to be in fashion in the early 18th century... and they became the tradition.The reasons they are still worn today are:1. Tradition2. Intimidation - "I have a wig. I know the law. Beware"3. Psychology - lets lawyer distinguish between their professional life (wig on) where they see the innocent convicted and guilty set free and their real lives (wig off), in a very real and tangible way.4. Anonymity - It has been seriously argued that criminal trial judges should retain the wig, because it makes them harder to recognise outside court, and therefore less liable to reprisal.