Practice Directions

Practice Direction (Court Dress) (No 3)

On 23 April 1998 the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) became an authorised body under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 for the purpose of granting rights of audience to its members. Having consulted the Heads of Divisions and ILEX, the Lord Chancellor has decided that it would be appropriate for members of ILEX who are authorised advocates under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 to wear court dress when appearing in open court in circumstances in which counsel or solicitors appearing as advocates wear court dress.

The Lord Chancellor has also decided to take this opportunity to provide for advocates who may be granted rights of audience by any future bodies authorised for this purpose under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. The Lord Chancellor has decided that it would not be appropriate to extend the wearing of wigs.

The requirements of Practice Direction (Court Dress) [1994] 1 W.L.R. 1056 of 19 July 1994 are therefore varied as follows: Queen's Counsel wear a short wig and silk (or stuff) gown over a court coat; junior counsel wear a short wig and stuff gown with bands; solicitors and other advocates authorised under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 wear a black stuff gown and bands, but no wig.

This Direction is made by the Lord Chancellor with the concurrence of the Heads of Divisions and applies throughout the Supreme Court (including the Crown Court) and in county courts.

Irvine of Lairg L.C.