Apart from what to call the Judge, probably the question we get asked most, ahead of court hearings, is what to wear?
A colleague once had a client who came to court in a t-shirt with big black lettering on it. It said ‘F**K YOU!’ but without the asterisks.
We think he was trying to make a point about what he thought about the justice system. However, sadly he probably didn’t create the effect he wanted.
Luckily Judges, on the whole, do not decide cases on whether they like clients. Or on what they look like and are wearing.
However, a court hearing is a serious matter and should be shown suitable respect.
Dressing smartly may make you feel as if you are ready for your day in court. The same argument applies to school or workplace uniforms, as they can make the wearer behave in a ‘work-like’ way.
However, you don’t need to go over-the-top. If you’re not used to wearing a suit, or smart clothes, and this will make you feel uncomfortable, don’t do it.
There is nothing worse than seeing a man in court wearing the one suit he owns; bought for a wedding three years ago. More often than not it will be slightly ill-fitting and he will squirm in it all day, fiddling with his collar. A pair of jeans or smart trousers and a clean, ironed shirt would be fine.
We had one female client who told us that every time she went to court, she wore no underwear. It made her feel powerful, she said. Although that probably would not be for most of us, it illustrates the point. Feeling right is far more important than looking right.
Don’t try and be someone you aren’t. What a client has worn has never won or lost a case. Well, except perhaps for the man in the ‘F**K YOU!’ T-shirt.