Powerful Bob: Why British Lawyers Wear Wigs

By Maya Rosebrugh-Galipeau

I am currently studying abroad in London, England, an experience I would recommend to anyone looking to expand their horizons and work on your adaptability skills. As anyone entering a new city, I am keen to explore every nook and cranny. When touring the National Portrait Gallery- a free art gallery attached to the National Gallery- I encountered many paintings of judges and barristers (specialized court lawyers) wearing wigs. This came as no surprise as I’ve seen countless historical documentaries in which wigs were worn for fashion, to signal status, for cultural reasons, or as part of the required uniforms. However, as a keen pre-law student when my friend mentioned the possibility of sitting in on a hearing, I decided to do a deep dive into this process. I fell into a rabbit hole, diving headfirst into the history of the law in Britain and discovered that barristers and judges are required- in our modern day and age- to wear wigs during criminal cases and formal ceremonies. 

Imagine you were being charged for armed robbery and those deciding your future are wearing an ill fitting hemp- originally horsehair- peruke with horizontal curls and a small tail at the back. In this day and age that might be a bit more intimidating but back in the 1660s that would have been a comforting sight. Around the 1840s, the popularity of the peruke in day to day life declined, but barristers were not to be heard in court if they were missing that part of their uniform. 

This brings me to the burning questions running through my mind “Why do the Brits wear wigs?” “Are they legally bound to the stylish white bobs?” 

The historic reason for the judicial wearing of the wigs dates back to the 17th century, reflecting the fashion trends of that era. Introduced during the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685), they were a way of demonstrating power and high class status. The wigs symbolized authority and soon were worn by lawyers inside and outside of the courtroom. Having started in the capital of England in London, wigs became popular in everyday fashion after a syphilis outbreak that affected approximately 20% of the population before the age of 35. The “Great Pox” was the primary cause of widespread baldness around that time pushing for the usage of the powdered wigs. 

My wig-obsessed-roommate would have found her true calling as a lawyer back in the day. Wigs were common not only in the legal profession in most other fields, employing jobs such as 

bishops, coachmen, members of parliaments, military officers, physicians, among others. 

The current usage of the wigs is to honour past traditions and to maintain formality within the legal system. They are seen as part of the uniform, requiring those working in civil, family, and criminal law as well as those within the UK Supreme Court to sport the stylish hairpiece. In 2007, rules were revised so that only criminal barristers must now wear them, however many of those practicing law in the United Kingdom wear it as a badge of honour. 

What are the 21st century feelings on the courtroom wig? 

There are mixed opinions about the current uniform requirement, some stating that the headpiece serves to overcome racial, gender and age-related prejudices. It is seen as an important part of the criminal justice system, “if you don’t meet the physical stereotypes of a barrister - male, white, perhaps older - it is helpful to wear the uniform because it stops any awkward conversations” according to Zoe Chapman, a barrister at Red Lion chambers in London.  

In contrast, others, such as Leslie Thomas QC, a professor and barrister at the Garden Court Chambers, are calling for the removal of the wig requirement stating grounds of racial exclusion. He states that it is not inclusive of the diverse makeup of the legal field, preventing those wanting to express their black or minority ethnic identity with an afro hairstyle.   

Work Cited

Addley, E. (2021, February 16). “It is helpful to wear the uniform”: barrister’s wig enjoys surprising popularity. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/feb/16/it-is-helpful-to-wear-the-uniform-barristers-wig-enjoys-surprising-popularity

BBC Bitesize. (2024, July 30). Why do barristers wear wigs? An exploration of the historic headpiece - BBC Bitesize. BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zxc2vj6

Judiciary UK. (n.d.). History of Court Dress. Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/history-of-the-judiciary-in-england-and-wales/history/

University of Law, & Longstaff, G. (2023, April 25). Why do barristers wear wigs? Law.ac.uk; University of Law. https://www.law.ac.uk/resources/blog/why-do-barristers-wear-wigs/