Legal outfits - second hand
Doctor Dave
I have a friend who is about to qualify as a solicitor overseas and
she finds the UK wig thing and court dress rather quaint. I'd like to
buy her a barrister's wig as a sort of joke "qualifying present" but
don't want to spend the £500 or so they seem to cost. Similarly,
don't want to get a cheap and tacky £15 toy one either.
Owain
> I have a friend who is about to qualify as a solicitor overseas and
> she finds the UK wig thing and court dress rather quaint. I'd like to
> buy her a barrister's wig as a sort of joke "qualifying present" but
> don't want to spend the £500 or so they seem to cost. Similarly,
> don't want to get a cheap and tacky £15 toy one either.
Second-hand (or pre-aged) wigs are in demand by barristers who don't
want to look too young and inexperienced in court, so even if you
could find someone to sell you one (someone retiring from chambers
perhaps) it might not be cheap, certainly not in the 'joke' present
category.
Carbolicsmokeball.com have a selection of legal themed gifts including
a barrister's wig keyring, or a bulldog barrister figurine, which
might be appreciated.
Owain
Janitor of Lunacy
Even a new one is likely to be expensive. Even on ebay, one will cot you
about £100
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Barristers-Original-Legal-Wig-/160511288392?pt=AU_Costumes&hash=item255f37e448)
Second-hand wigs tend to circulate within the trade and are much sought
after. I've known barristers in pupillage resist the outlay and only
practise in lower courts until they have saved enough for such an
opportunity to arise.
SEN Advice
wrote:
I am confused, if your friend is qualifying as a solicitor, then why
would she want a wig, as a joke or otherwise? it is like buying a
denist a stethoscope on qualifying!!
SEN Advice
> Owain wrote:
> > On Nov 28, 12:55 pm, Doctor Dave wrote:
> >> I have a friend who is about to qualify as a solicitor overseas and
> >> she finds the UK wig thing and court dress rather quaint. I'd like to
> >> buy her a barrister's wig as a sort of joke "qualifying present" but
> >> don't want to spend the 500 or so they seem to cost. Similarly,
> >> don't want to get a cheap and tacky 15 toy one either.
>
> > Second-hand (or pre-aged) wigs are in demand by barristers who don't
> > want to look too young and inexperienced in court, so even if you
> > could find someone to sell you one (someone retiring from chambers
> > perhaps) it might not be cheap, certainly not in the 'joke' present
> > category.
>
> > Carbolicsmokeball.com have a selection of legal themed gifts including
> > a barrister's wig keyring, or a bulldog barrister figurine, which
> > might be appreciated.
>
> > Owain
>
> Even a new one is likely to be expensive. Even on ebay, one will cot you
> about 100
>
> Second-hand wigs tend to circulate within the trade and are much sought
> after. I've known barristers in pupillage resist the outlay and only
> practise in lower courts until they have saved enough for such an
>
No they are not sought after at all. I know of no-one that would want
to wear someone's old wig.
In general a baby barrister would have to have the rob and wig in
order to obtain pupillage, further, in Middle Temple one has to wear a
wig to be called, not a requirement in the other three Inns