Why do British Judges wear wigs?

Question

at the Scottish sherriff and high courts, and english courts, judges tend to wear wigs, but for what reason?

Answer 1

To go with the stockings and suspenders...

Answer 2

Tradition.
Why Judges Wear Wigs


There is, in fact, a very good reason for why judges wear wigs – do you know what it is?

Once upon a time there was a man who was a judge. Everyone in the village was aware that he was the judge, so whenever a crime was committed and the culprit arrested, the family knew who to bribe! Obviously, the victim of the crime was never very happy with this situation and also tried to influence the true course of justice. In order to prevent this bending of the truth, the judge decided that in future the identity of judges should remain secret. But how?

One day our village judge was in his beautiful, blooming garden picking cherries in full view of the road. Although it was the middle of May, the weather was still a little chilly and so St. John, for that was his name, was wearing a bright blue blazer, a plum-coloured waistcoat, and a worn, woolly, violet cap, which his wife hated. Several women passed by while he was busy with his chore, but no one breathed a word to him. ‘Funny,’ he thought, ‘I wonder why no one has said hello?’

He decided that he would greet the next person to walk past. He carried on plucking the ripe, ruby-red cherries from the branches. He had a great view of the winding road, so he was able to see his next door neighbour well before he reached the judge. ‘Greetings, neighbour!’ cried the judge as his acquaintance approached. It was as though the two men had never met – the man just looked up and grunted in reply. ‘Well!’ thought the judge and decided to confront this unfriendly neighbour.

He climbed down from the ladder just as the man was about to pass the house. The judge called again to the man, whilst removing the woolly cap. ‘Oh, St. John! I didn’t realise it was you picking the cherries. I thought you must be a gardener.’ Said the man. ‘Didn’t you recognise me?’ asked St. John the judge. ‘Not with that dreadful violet cap on, no!’ answered the now embarrassed neighbour.

And that is the story of how St. John Featherstonehaugh had the idea of wearing something on his head when he was at work. Of course, everyone still knew it was him, but when he retired and a new judge started work in the court, nobody recognised him. And of course, St. John’s wife wouldn’t allow him to wear his worn woolly cap, so they came up with the idea of a wig. Even today you see judges in Great Britain wearing curly, grey wigs when they are at work.

Here's another view:
http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/life/spring1999/wigs/

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Answer 3

Its a old trend/culture that represents people with wealth and vigour. Simplest folks with alot of money and power used to wear them its kinda like what a tuxedo and tie is in these days

Answer 4

This link will tell you all you want to know on the subject. http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/life/spring1999/wigs/
Sadly, other people have been asking the same question and in civil cases they will no longer be wearing them. http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/comment/0,,2125310,00.html

Answer 5

its a prior style/custom that represents those with wealth and skill. in basic terms those with alot of money and skill used to positioned on them its kinda like what a tuxedo and tie is on the instant

Answer 6

To hide the scar from the labotomy which is required to allow them to make nonsensical judgements.

Answer 7

Yeah they dress funny, But you try turning up to their court in funny dress and see how long you get for contempt of court, So much for justice being blind.

Answer 8

So that Justice can be truly serve without bribes

Answer 9

To stop blood circulation into there brain.

Answer 10

Tradition, and it looks gooooooooood on ya