{"id":2248224,"date":"2024-05-19T19:59:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T23:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/english-courts-in-talks-to-abandon-culturally-insensitive-hallmark-of-judiciary\/"},"modified":"2024-05-19T20:05:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T00:05:20","slug":"english-courts-in-talks-to-abandon-culturally-insensitive-hallmark-of-judiciary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/english-courts-in-talks-to-abandon-culturally-insensitive-hallmark-of-judiciary\/","title":{"rendered":"English Courts Considering Abandoning &#8216;Culturally Insensitive&#8217; Tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fenglish-courts-in-talks-to-abandon-culturally-insensitive-hallmark-of-judiciary%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2248224&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>English \u200bCourts\u200d are considering \u2064ending the requirement\u200c for barristers to wear wigs as part \u2063of their \u200ddress code. This debate follows complaints from \u2062black \u200dbarristers who view the tradition as\u200c discriminatory. \u200bThe Bar Council is examining court dress rules in light of diversity and equality concerns. The push for change\u2064 is gaining momentum in pursuit of \u200da more \u200binclusive legal profession. The English Courts are reevaluating the necessity for barristers to wear wigs as part of their attire, prompted \u2063by criticisms from black barristers citing discrimination. The Bar Council\u200c is reviewing the\u200c court dress \u200bcode to address diversity and equality \u2064issues, signaling\u2062 a growing movement towards a more inclusive legal environment.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<header> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/news\/\">  News <\/a>  <\/p>\n<h2>English Courts in Talks to Abandon &#8216;Culturally Insensitive&#8217; Hallmark of Judiciary<\/h2>\n<p> <span> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/ajose\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <span>   By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/ajose\/%20\"><span>Andrew Jose<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <span>   May 19, 2024 at 2:44pm <\/span> <\/span>  <\/header>\n<section>\n<p>Courts in England are debating whether to stop requiring wigs as part of the dress code for barristers.<\/p>\n<p>The discussions come after complaints from several black barristers who alleged that the archaic piece of dress code for the country\u2019s lawyers is discriminatory against those with Afro-Carribean hair, the U.K. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/business\/2024\/05\/18\/courts-ditch-compulsory-wigs-criticism-black-barristers\/#:~:text=Since%202007%2C%20they%20have%20not,insensitive%20climate%E2%80%9D%20at%20the%20Bar.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Telegraph<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFollowing questions from barristers about wigs and hair discrimination, the Bar Council set up a working group to consider court dress in the context of all protected characteristics,\u201d a Bar Council spokesman told The Telegraph.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe findings of the working group are currently being discussed with the judiciary as part of our regular dialogue on equality and diversity matters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.judiciary.uk\/about-the-judiciary\/history-of-the-judiciary-in-england-and-wales\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Judiciary.uk<\/a> website, the origin of wigs as part of barrister uniforms dates back to the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685) when the accessory was popular among the elite.<\/p>\n<p>Until then, barristers didn\u2019t wear wigs \u2014 they only had to trim their hair and beards.<\/p>\n<p>Towards the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mysterious-shipwreck-identified-as-17th-century-warship-that-sunk-after-fierce-battle\/\" title=\"Mysterious Shipwreck Identified As 17th Century Warship That Sunk After \u2018Fierce Battle\u2019\">late 17th century<\/a>, however, wigs became popular among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/hunter-bidens-lawyers-threaten-fox-news-reportedly-plans-sue-network\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lawyers<\/a>, too, who wore them both inside and outside court to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.ac.uk\/resources\/blog\/why-do-barristers-wear-wigs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">convey<\/a> an image of authority and status.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, however, wigs grew out of fashion, with only members of a few professions, such as the legal profession, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.judiciary.uk\/about-the-judiciary\/history-of-the-judiciary-in-england-and-wales\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wearing<\/a> them.<\/p>\n<p>In 2007, wigs became <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.ac.uk\/resources\/blog\/why-do-barristers-wear-wigs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">optional<\/a> for civil and family law cases, and they\u2019re no longer required in the U.K. Supreme Court. However, criminal trials in the U.K. still require barristers to wear them.<\/p>\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-container\">\n<p>Should these wigs be optional for English judges?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>However, there is a push to stop requiring wigs altogether in court.<\/p>\n<p>The push to make the changes to the dress code comes after barrister Michael Etienne, who wore an afro hairstyle, was threatened with disciplinary action in 2022 should he refuse to wear a wig in cour, The Telegraph reported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe branded the policy as hair discrimination, a form of racism,\u201d according to The Telegraph.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSenior judges are in active discussions with the Bar Council about the findings of their working group on court dress,\u201d a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/un-official-running-investigation-into-israel-defends-colleague-who-said-jewish-lobby-controls-social-media\/\" title=\"UN Official Running Investigation Into Israel Defends Colleague Who Said Jewish Lobby Controls Social Media\">council spokesman told<\/a> The Telegraph.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe welcome these discussions as part of our continuing joint work on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One barrister, Leslie Thomas, branded requirements that the accessory be worn as \u201cculturally insensitive,\u201d according to The Telegraph.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe wigs certainly should go. There isn\u2019t any place in a modern society for barristers to be wearing 17th-century fashion,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas told the Telegraph the dress code should consist of simply a black robe with business attire beneath it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think a dress code like that would bring the profession into the 21st century,\u201d he told the newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>Another barrister, Rachel Bale, who is of mixed race, told the Telegraph that wigs should be optional. She noted that Sikhs, who wear turbans for religious reasons, and Muslims who wear headscarves are granted excepts to the wig rule.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSomething overlooked often in black culture is that your hair is so inexplicably important and it is completely interwoven with your identity,\u201d she told The Telegraph.<\/p>\n<hr>\n[author_subcription_pitch]\n<div id=\"author-info-45471\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/ajose\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<div>\n<p><label for=\"summary-tab-radio-45471\">Summary<\/label><label for=\"more-info-tab-radio-45471\">More<span> Biographical Information<\/span><\/label><label for=\"posts-tab-radio-45471\">Recent<span> Posts<\/span><\/label><label for=\"contact-tab-radio-45471\" onclick=\"if( typeof grecaptcha=='undefined' ) { let cap_s=document.createElement( 'script' ); cap_s.src='https:\/\/www.google.com\/recaptcha\/api.js?render=6LeJFcsUAAAAAPsIEqvB1EebWbZfqRUe6ebMpGy7'; document.body.appendChild( cap_s ); }\">Contact<\/label><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>News reporter and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/major-update-after-inmates-charged-with-heinous-crimes-escape-jail\/\" title=\"Significant Development: Escape of Inmates Charged with Serious Crimes\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/freshman-nc-dem-dollars-biden-on-iran-deal\/\" title=\"Freshman NC Dem Dollars Biden on Iran Deal\">international affairs<\/a> analyst published<\/a> and syndicated in over 100 national and international outlets, including The National Interest, The Daily Caller, and The Western Journal. Covers international affairs, security, and U.S. politics. Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies candidate at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>  News reporter and international affairs analyst published and syndicated in over 100 national and international outlets, including The National Interest, The Daily Caller, and The Western Journal. Covers international affairs, security, and U.S. politics. Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies candidate at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. Follow Andrew on Twitter: @RealAndrewJose <\/p>\n<p>  Education <\/p>\n<p>  Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service <\/p>\n<p>  Location <\/p>\n<p>  Washington, District of Columbia <\/p>\n<p>  Languages Spoken <\/p>\n<p>  English, Spanish, Tamil, Hindi, French, Russian <\/p>\n<p>  Topics of Expertise <\/p>\n<p>  International Politics, National Security, U.S. Politics <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>English Courts in discussions to end culturally insensitive tradition of requiring wigs for barristers. Recent complaints from black barristers highlighted the need for change in the judiciary&#8217;s dress code<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":372,"featured_media":2248225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/judge-wigs-for-may-19-2024.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2248224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/judge-wigs-for-may-19-2024.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/372"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2248224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248224\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2248225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2248224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2248224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2248224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}