British Judges Not Happy to Ditch Their Wigs

The sun may never set on the British Empire, the saying goes—so bald judges might want to watch out, as some are being forced to give up their customary wigs in October, the Los Angeles Times reports. They're also getting new robes by a designer associated with “funky British clothes for aspiring funky British girls," the Australian notes. Needless to say, UK papers have had a field day.

The change applies only to civil-court judges, and is not binding on lawyers, although some think “it would be normal” for counselors to follow suit. The new costume will not be taken up by judges in criminal court, at least partly because those judges enjoy the anonymity of the wig, shielding them from recognition outside the courtroom, the Guardian reports. (More Britain stories.)