Family and Friends Forum

I personally think you should go smart.

I wore a shift dress and blazer, I was the only person in the public gallery and the judge knew who I was. I was glad I had dressed as I did.

I read that it shows you respect the court and it can have an impact on your person. Whether that's true or not I don't know. If you are there in support I would rather be dressed smart than risk it having a negative impact not being.

In my opinion the smarter the better. I wore a smart black dress, tights, court shoes and a black jacket.

The court officials thought I was a professional rather than a family member which I think was a good thing. Shows you're taking it seriously and the judges tend to have more respect if you appear professional/well dressed and well educated (terrible bias but it is how it is).

My profession was referenced by our solicitor and following this the judge even let me speak and respond which I also think was helpful.

PLease go in whatever you know you will feel comfortable in - you know you, so if looking like a million dollars in a new outfit does that go for it, but if you know you feel most in control in something old and familiar then go for that. The last thing you want is to add feeling awkward in your outfit to the rest of your emotions. When I do my court volunteering I see people in all kinds of outfits, even some of the legal lot with the oddest outfits under their robes.

I would say dress smart but not flashy. Basically maybe like a female solicitor: a smart skirt-suit or trouser suit with matching blazer, a button down shirt or blouse, plain black heels with tights, a nice handbag, and some sensible jewellery like plain gold earrings or a gold ring. Try to look well groomed but not attention grabbing.

IMO there's definitely a class bias in the legal system and I've seen it with my own eyes. We had to go to court to repay a debt once and the judge was a very very posh man. The way he spoke to people depending on their accent and outfit in the courtroom was like night and day.

It's sad but true you really do get treated differently by authority figures if you look and act a bit. I think the police even treat you differently. When they came to our old house that was in the process of being ripped out and was a bit of a dump they were quite condescending and rude to us. Quite pushy and mean. We moved to a nicer place in a nicer area and they definitely were more respectful and reverential towards us after that.

I would say dress smart but not flashy. Basically maybe like a female solicitor: a smart skirt-suit or trouser suit with matching blazer, a button down shirt or blouse, plain black heels with tights, a nice handbag, and some sensible jewellery like plain gold earrings or a gold ring. Try to look well groomed but not attention grabbing.

IMO there's definitely a class bias in the legal system and I've seen it with my own eyes. We had to go to court over a debt once and the judge was a very very posh man. The way he spoke to people depending on their accent and outfit in the courtroom was like night and day. It was quite mortifying to see that kind of bias irl. Snippy and rude towards the people who came dressed in a tracksuit. Polite and cordial towards those who came well dressed and addressed him respectfully. The lawyer also advised that we come 'suited and booted' because it pleases the judge and shows you respect the court.

It's sad but true, you really do get treated differently by authority figures if you look and act a bit upper crust (we aren't at all btw but you can fool them with the right outfit and making your speech a bit more 'proper'.)

The police definitely treat you differently. When they came to our old house that was in the process of being ripped out and was a bit of a dump they were quite condescending and rude to us. Quite pushy and mean. We moved to a nicer place in a nicer area and they definitely were more respectful and reverential towards us after that.

Honestly, if you are just there as moral support for your person, unless you wore something outlandishly noticeable, nobody will bother about what you're wearing apart from your person's solicitor who might meet you beforehand. (The exception would be if you were a witness so all eyes would be on you when you came in to give your evidence, or if you have permission to sit with your person which is rare - but then you would be far more visible and probably would feel more confident if you knew you looked smart.) Whoever is presiding, a judge or magistrates, comes in from the top end after everyone else is in there and hardly looks at anyone apart from the defendant and the solicitors (or the jury if it's a trial)

You will be sitting in the public gallery and seating differs between courtrooms eg at mine one has an upstairs gallery like a dress circle (nobody downstairs would see you at all) and others have benches at the back of the room so you would be in the main body of the courtroom but everyone would be in front of you facing the bench, not looking at you. You might be the only one in the public bit but there could be other people there as it is a public place but the usher will tell you where to sit and look out for you if you're a bit wobbly.

I can't comment on whether sentences or treatment are affected by how you look and it shouldn't, but maybe older judges can be judgmental about the person in the dock but I still say wear what you feel comfortable in and good luck x

All courts are laid out differently but I was just sitting directly behind the solicitor - a lot just have benches or chairs in 3 or 4 rows so you can be very visible.

Definitely don't go 'flashy' - my outfit was a plain black dress, plain black jacket, black shoes - low key but smart, very simple jewellery ie stud earrings and my wedding ring. I do think it made a difference in terms of how seriously we were taken. I've spent a lot of time in court rooms with my job and less smartly dressed individuals are unfortunately treated less well