In circumstances where you are in the Superior Court of Justice a lawyer will be dressed in a gown. Our criminal courts certainly do not require that you attend court in the same attire as lawyers, however there is an expectation that you dress appropriately.
f you’re out judge-spotting at the corner of Queen and University, it helps to remember their distinctive features. In Ontario, the colour of sash that judges wear with their black robes denotes the type of court over which they preside: green for justices of the peace,...
Lawyers appearing before the Federal Court or the Tax Court of Canada are required to wear a gown. Judges dress in barrister's robes similar to the lawyers'. Judges of some courts adorn their robes with coloured sashes. For example, Federal Court Judges' robes are adorned with a gold sash, and Tax Court of Canada Judges' robes with a purple sash.
Judges dress in barrister's robes similar to the lawyers'. Judges of some courts adorn their robes with coloured sashes. For example, Federal Court Judges' robes are adorned with a gold sash, and Tax Court of Canada Judges' robes with a purple sash.
Unlike American lawyers, Canadian lawyers wear robes when they appear in the superior courts. Unlike British lawyers, they do not wear those little gray wigs you see in BBC legal dramas. Legal custom shifted away from the wearing of wigs in most of Canada's courts in the mid-19th century.
Robes are typically only required when lawyers appear in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, or higher appellate courts. Confusion can occur however because even within the Superior Court of Justice, robes are not always required.
All judges in Ontario courts wear red sashes over their robes. Judges of the Ontario Superior Court wear the sash over their right shoulder, with the ends attached on the left side, while judges of the Ontario Court of Justice wear their sash over their left shoulder with the ends attached on the right side.
scarlet robesJudges of the Supreme Court of Canada wear scarlet robes with white fur trim on ceremonial occasions together with black tricorne hats; however, they wear black gowns with white neck band tabs when hearing cases.
Black Robes are worn by both advocates and attorneys in the High Court. In the Magistrates' Court, only attorneys are required to wear the robes when appearing. The dress code, like the legal system, finds its origin in both the English and Dutch traditions.
In Canada, court attire is very similar to what is worn in England, except that wigs are not worn. Specifically, bar jackets are worn under gowns, and Queen's Counsel and judges have more elaborate cuffs than other lawyers.
In Canada, a robed lawyer wears black or grey pants or skirt, a white wingtip collared plain-front shirt, black waistcoat/vest, long black robe, and white collar tabs. Most lawyers wear robes, waistcoats, and tabs made by Harcourts.
You must stand whenever you speak to the judge or the judge speaks to you. If you are addressing a judge or associate judge of the Superior Court of Justice, you should call him or her “Your Honour” or “Justice/Associate Justice (last name)”. Deputy judges should be called “Your Honour”.
Historians seem to agree that the practice of English judges wearing robes dates back seven centuries. In the 1300s robes were worn by scholars at universities and aristocrats attending the royal court. When lawyers were granted the right to appear in law courts they wore robes or gowns as a symbol of that privilege.
Courtrooms are said to be about truth and justice where the law is of primary importance. The Court is concerned that the appearance of counsel may unduly influence juries. Flashy clothes may distract from the Court's truth-seeking role. Robes allow for the law and the facts to be the main focus.
The bright scarlet robes were made specifically for her, thus starting out their life at a truly significant moment for gender equality in the legal world. The robes are the traditional dress of High Court judges presiding over criminal cases and earn those who wear them the nickname of 'red judges'.
But the judges of England and its many colonies often wore very colorful robes and even powdered wigs when they sat to hear cases. Some historians think that the move toward wearing only black was strengthened in 1694 when the judges of England and its American colonies donned black to mourn the death of Queen Mary II.