The Hon Lord Bracadale (Alastair P. Campbell)

Related FAQs

Q.Do all judges wear robes? Why do judges wear different robes in civil and criminal courts?

A.

Court dress is determined by tradition, and has evolved over the centuries.  

In the High Court judges wear a white robe with red crosses on it.  In the Court of Session judges wear a crimson robe with darker red crosses on it. 

Sheriffs wear a black gown depending on their status before appointment.  A sheriff who is a Queen’s Counsel wears a silk gown; a sheriff who was an advocate or solicitor wears a “stuff” gown.

Robes are not usually worn in Justice of the Peace and Stipendiary Magistrate courts. It may also be agreed to dispense with court dress in proceedings involving children, or in particularly hot weather.

Q.How do I address a judge in court?

A.

Judicial titles are a traditional courtesy, dating back centuries. They serve as a mark of respect, and distinguish different types of judges.

A judge is called My Lord or My Lady, as the case may be.  A stipendiary magistrate or Justice of the Peace is called Your Honour.  The forms of address for all members of the Scottish judiciary can be found here

When at court your legal representative or court staff will be able to advise you as to the appropriate forms of address. If you make a mistake when addressing a judge, no one will mind so long as your intention was to be polite.

Q.Why do judges wear wigs?

A.

In the early 17th century, wigs were simply part of the fashion of the day for society. Although they had gone out of fashion by the 18th century, judges, the military, the clergy and some other professionals continued to wear smaller, more formal wigs into the 19th century, and they have been retained as part of court dress to the present day.

Today, wigs are worn as a symbol of office by the legal professions. The traditional, long full-bottomed wig is now only worn by judges on ceremonial occasions such as during the procession to mark the start of the legal year (called the “kirking of the court”). A shorter, more practical style is worn in court. However, not all judges wear wigs. They are not worn in Justice of the Peace courts, tribunals, or in some proceedings involving children.

The wigs are made from horsehair from the tail or mane, which in the past made wigs more practical as it could have the same off-white colour as a powdered wig without the need for powder.

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A day in the life of

Judges spend a great deal of time working on cases before and after court and have to do a lot of preparation for the day ahead. Read about a typical day for a judge.

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