Why do barristers wear wigs ?

Answer 1

There are many myths about wigs but as a barrister I can confirm the wig is very historical and was meant to represent the brain! i.e. barristers being such brain boxes the brain had outgrown the skull and was now outside of the skull. Hence why senior barristers, QC's have slightly larger wigs and judges also have larger wigs, the bigger the wig the higher up the legal ladder they are. Which is also where the term "big wig" comes from, reflecting seniority and status.

Answer 2

the wig is phsycologichal warfare against the people appearing in the dock, making the judges fearsome and ausome to deal with so that the poor uneducated person wh didnt go to eaton, will be at a terrible disadvantage,this forces the person to get a barrister who also has a wig i think,but now one can ask the judge to remove the wig if one finds it intimidating, but if one does the case will be adjourned to anouther day, which means your barraster will spend more time on the job and charge you more probably, so if yer skint the judge gets to keep his wig anyway.
here is a statement from the bible prophesying a future time
from the time of the statement "THE WISDOM OF THE WISE SHALL CRUMBLE." and thats whats happened to todays judges.

Answer 3

What country?

The wigs have their basis in England and continental Europe. The fashion of the day in high society dictated the wearing of powdered white wigs. The justice system, with its inability to change and reflect the times, retained this "uniform" that I believe goes back to the 18th century.

Or am I wigged out on this?

Answer 4

This is a very old custom to reflect that they are men of vast wisdom....and the expression "Big Wigs" comes from the custom of the judges wearing wigs with longer hair.....the white color shows age and therefore wisdom.

Answer 5

They retain the wigs from olden times when the wig was a status symbol

Answer 6

In olden days, head lice was prevalent. So, most people shave their heads. That made them look ridiculous. Barristers couldn't stand to be laughed at, so they started wearing those funny wigs.

Answer 7

because the judge is normally bold so he wears a wig so the others think we'll wear wigs so the judge doesn't feel out of place.
or because it makes their work more fun

Answer 8

It goes back to the 17th century when they all wore wigs. I think the British law system just hasn't forgotten their roots.

Answer 9

It's an old fashioned uniform from regal times to show status and formality. Grey/white hair traditionally symbolises great knowledge.

Answer 10

THE IDEA OF THE WIG WAS TO MAKE THEM ALL LOOK ALIKE AND TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO RECOGNISE THEM OUT OF COURT.
WIGS WHERE A FASHION AND STATUS SYMBOL IN YEARS OF OLD (AS IN PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) ONLY THE RICH AND WEALTH WORN THEM, THE MORE MONEY THE MORE ELABORATE.