OT: UK Judges Revolt Against New "Star Trek"-like Robes

Betty Jackson gets a dressing-down

Betty Jackson, one of Britain's most respected designers, has met some
of the harshest criticism of her distinguished career. And it's not from
the front row of a catwalk show - but from the judiciary.

Last year, the 59-year-old designer (pictured with Lord Chief Justice,
Lord Phillips) unveiled a new robe for British judges, replacing the
traditional garb with a long gown made of a dark navy gabardine and wool
mix and finished with trimmed velvet on the cuffs and facings. Now it
transpires that the judges are unimpressed. In a poll of 104 High Court
judges, 40 have voted in favour of scrapping the new robes.

One outspoken critic of Jackson's design says the new robe - which many
judges feel was "foisted" upon them - is like "a cross between a Star
Trek costume and a fascist stormtrooper's uniform". Others complain that
it is badly designed, with the pockets difficult to get to and buttons
at the back that tend to come undone. (Continued below)

But the judges' concerns have been disregarded by the Court Judges
Association committee, which has decreed that the new robes must be
accepted. The committee could now have a fight on its hands: although 32
judges voted to keep the robe (the rest declined to reply) those who
feel Jackson's creation is unsatisfactory are preparing to take their
concerns to the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge.


Here is a photo of Betty Jackson standing next to a judge wearing her
new robe design:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00670/robes_670533c.jpg

The colored stripes denote the different types of judge:  Red means High
Court, gold means Appeals Court, etc.  I'm not kidding.

You know, that does sound like a Star Trek costume!

--
Steven L.
Email:  sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.
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80 Knight (29.03.2009 06:14)
ToolPackinMama (29.03.2009 17:55)