Why the judge and lawyers wear wig on the court?

In British and other western countries, the ceremony of the court was paid much attention to. Lots of people think the trappings of the judge and lawyer. If you meet then at midnight, it may make her jump out of your skin. The judge of British and previous the commonwealth countries and regions usually wear a shoulder-length wig. Lawyers usually wear a smaller one. The judge and lawyer will wear the specific robes, which are usually black. These trappings will let the court look formal and solemn.

The judge and lawyers wear wigs is one of the most characteristic tradition in British court. The tradition is still kept in some previous the commonwealth countries and regions, for example Hongkong, China. Why the Judge and lawyer wear wigs? Lots of historian offered all kinds of explanation, but it is hard to convince everyone.

One explanation is here. In Middle Ages, overwork and disease make the the judiciary loss hair. In order to hide the embarrassment, they wore wigs. From then on, wearing wigs become the convention of British court. Some people think it is because the wigs can show the highly  respected status of the Judge. And to some extent, wigs can protect the lawyer. They worried that the result of their defense may not get recognition of defendants and their families. Many people think this explanation is joke. According to a survey, 57% lawyer are not satisfied with wearing wigs. Lawyers’ wigs are usually made from horse mane, which are expensive but unhygienic. Generally, a lawyer only wear a wig in his or her whole life. There was a lawyer family had a 94-year wig. It has been passed down four generations, which could be called a family treasure.

According to the research of some historians folklore, British wearing wig began the twelfth century. It is not a the patent of the judge and lawyer. The upper society people thought it was a fashion to wear wig and it was a formal attire to take part in formal occasions or parties. In fact, there is a difference of the wigs between judicial circle and ordinary people. In England, there are three curls on each side of judicial wigs, but two on royal staffs. Is it a kind of subtle metaphorical meaning? Nobody knows, but Scottish are at odds with Englander. Because the situation is just reversed. judicial wigs have two curls and royal staff’s have three.

The cost of crafting wigs is very high. It is not because of the material, but the handicraft fee. Because of the exquisite workmanship, the wigs can not be made by machines. It will take 44 hours to making a lawyer for skilled worker. A judge wig generally cost £1500, which is much more expensive than general everyday wigs. There is a saying in judicial circles: if your wig is old and the color is deep, it means you have good qualifications.