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Pictured: Judges throw away 300 years of tradition and reveal their new bare-headed 'Star Trek' look
Last updated at 01:22am on 14.05.08The most senior judge in England and Wales took a step into the world of modelling today - by showing off the new civil gown for judges.
Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, sported the new civil robe unveiled as part of a package of measures to simplify judicial court working dress.
Designer Betty Jackson, a former Designer of the Year, worked for free as the design consultant for the new gown, in consultation with a panel of judges who gave their opinions.
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Trekking over new ground: Lord Phillips and Capt Picard (Patrick Stewart) from Star Trek
The new robe incorporates coloured bands to identify seniority with heads of division and appeal court judges wearing gold bands and High Court judges wearing red.
The gown is part of a raft of changes announced last year to court working dress in England and Wales, such as ending the wearing of wigs, wing collars and bands by judges when sitting in civil and family proceedings.
The new civil robe comes into force in October and will be worn by Court of Appeal and High Court judges sitting in civil and family proceedings.
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Lord Chif Justice of England and Wales, The Rt Hon The Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers with Designer Betty Jackson
Circuit judges when they sit as deputy High Court judges and district judges will also wear the gown when working in civil and family proceedings.
A spokesman for the Judicial Communications Office said the new gown would cut costs by reducing the number of robes certain judges had to wear.
He said: "It is much easier to wear and has things like pockets which the old ones did not have.
"It is the result of considerable consultation and a sensible way forward."
Before and after: Lord Phillips in the new gown and how he would have looked
Reader views (3)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
They could have saved even more money by just having them keep the same black robe and not wearing the wig and high collar. Their dress shirt and tie visible instead.
The new style looks fine but in NO WAY resembles anything Star Trek.
- Inalani, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Yep! Brings them into line with European court dress.
- Frank H, London.
It looks very 'European'...
- Paul, Bromley
