This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6736543.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Opinion divided on judges' wigs | Opinion divided on judges' wigs |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Most judges and lawyers want to carry on wearing wigs and gowns in courts, which goes against the wishes of the majority of the public, a report says. | Most judges and lawyers want to carry on wearing wigs and gowns in courts, which goes against the wishes of the majority of the public, a report says. |
| The paper, on the Ministry of Justice website, says 70% of court workers in England and Wales want to keep them, compared with about 40% of the public. | The paper, on the Ministry of Justice website, says 70% of court workers in England and Wales want to keep them, compared with about 40% of the public. |
| The report - compiled in January 2004 - has only now been released following a Freedom of Information Act request. | |
| The Lord Chief Justice is considering possible comprises over the issue. | |
| Lord Phillips will make an announcement in the next few months. | Lord Phillips will make an announcement in the next few months. |
| The report considered the findings of a survey of more than 1,500 members of the public and 500 court users carried out in 2002. | The report considered the findings of a survey of more than 1,500 members of the public and 500 court users carried out in 2002. |
| It compared that survey with the results of a government consultation in 2003, which included more than 1,000 judges and lawyers. | It compared that survey with the results of a government consultation in 2003, which included more than 1,000 judges and lawyers. |
| 'Stamp of authority' | 'Stamp of authority' |
| The consultation had asked: "Is court working dress, as worn in the courts of England and Wales, suitable for the task?" | The consultation had asked: "Is court working dress, as worn in the courts of England and Wales, suitable for the task?" |
| More than 70% of court officials replied that judges and barristers in criminal cases were suitably dressed. | More than 70% of court officials replied that judges and barristers in criminal cases were suitably dressed. |
| They felt that the outfit gave judges a "stamp of authority", and the court should be "solemn, formal, dignified and intimidating for some". | They felt that the outfit gave judges a "stamp of authority", and the court should be "solemn, formal, dignified and intimidating for some". |
| In the public opinion survey, 42% of respondents said they were satisfied with judges' attire, and 34% thought the same of barristers. | In the public opinion survey, 42% of respondents said they were satisfied with judges' attire, and 34% thought the same of barristers. |
| Those who wanted to see a change of clothing believed the outfits were "anachronistic". | Those who wanted to see a change of clothing believed the outfits were "anachronistic". |
| They wanted judges and barristers to dress formally, but wear less intimidating and less antiquated clothes. | They wanted judges and barristers to dress formally, but wear less intimidating and less antiquated clothes. |
| The report stated: "It may appear logical to conclude that views are polarised between members of the public and professionals working in courts. | The report stated: "It may appear logical to conclude that views are polarised between members of the public and professionals working in courts. |
| "If this is the case, then the question to be addressed is whose set of opinions counts for more." | "If this is the case, then the question to be addressed is whose set of opinions counts for more." |