Judges congregate in Westminster Abbey before their Annual Service of Thanksgiving on October 1, 2012 in London, England
(Picture: Getty Images)A black barrister has called for wigs to be scrapped as they are culturally insensitive and “ridiculous”.
Leslie Thomas QC, who is a professor of Law at Gresham College and a barrister at the garden Court Chambers, said the wigs were outdated.
It comes after junior barrister Michael Etienne, who is black and has an afro, was told he risked being in contempt of court if he did not wear one.
Mr Thomas said wearing Georgian-style wigs in court was nonsense.
He told The Times: “Wigs are 17th century male fashion. To have them in the 21st century is nonsense.”
He later said on Twitter: “Let me add that wigs in the 21 century look ridiculous on everyone. We don’t need them.
“Judges in the higher courts no longer wear them and justice hasn’t suffered as a result. No, the sky will not fall in if we abandon the wig.”
Mr Thomas’ comments were sparked after Mr Etienne claimed he had been discriminated against due to his hair.
Mr Etienne was informed he may be in contempt if he did not wear a peruke.
The junior barrister wrote to the Bar Council to ask for clarification of the decision.
He tweeted the response from the body, which said: “Asked the Bar Council what could happen if, as a Black Barrister with an Afro, I declined to wear my wig.
“The answer included: ‘contempt of court’, ‘wasted costs’ and various potential breaches of Code of Conduct.
"’Unless the insistence was discriminatory’."
Perukes were adopted by the judiciary in 1685 with advocates claiming it represents a symbol of authority.
In most cases, wigs are not worn but rules state they must be worn for trials in the crown court and some civil hearings, including cases before the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Last year, parliamentarians and campaigners asked the Equality and Human Rights Commission to ban to hair discrimination in the UK.
Sam Mercer from the Bar Council said the organisation was prepared to take opinions on the issue.
Sam Mercer, Head of Equality and Diversity at the Bar Council, told The Standard: “The Bar Council is the representative body for 17,000 barristers and within the profession there is no one shared view about the dress code and wigs. Is the Bar Council prepared to take soundings on this? Absolutely.
“We want to hear from barristers so we can fully understand the range of views and experiences within the profession and find the appropriate solution. As an organisation we remain committed to increasing diversity and inclusion at the Bar.”
