The enduring custom of wearing wigs in Hong Kong’s courts traces its roots back more than three centuries, long before the practice became a formal requirement for barristers and judges.

While debates elsewhere have questioned the relevance of such attire, the city remains committed to a legal dress code that links its judiciary to a deep historical tradition.

Courtroom wigs, often associated with dramatic portrayals of legal battles, did not initially form part of professional attire.

Until the 17th century, lawyers typically dressed much like other members of society, favouring neatly trimmed hair and beards over any form of elaborate headgear.

The shift toward wig-wearing emerged not from legal doctrine but from broader social fashion, popularised by France’s King Louis XIV. As wigs became a status symbol across Europe, they also gained prominence in England’s courts, where they eventually became almost universal by the late 1600s.

Their adoption was shaped by the tastes and expectations of the era, when wigs conveyed dignity, professionalism and social standing.

By 1844, the common law had formally entrenched wigs and gowns as part of courtroom protocol, setting a standard that would later be inherited by many jurisdictions influenced by English legal traditions, including Hong Kong.

Today, the wigs remain more than a historical curiosity.

Supporters argue that they reinforce the authority of the court, create a sense of continuity and impartiality, and help distinguish the solemn roles of legal professionals.

Despite periodic calls for reform, the tradition continues to maintain broad acceptance within the profession, reflecting both respect for heritage and a clear visual marker of the judicial process.

As artificial intelligence, modern technology and evolving social norms reshape many aspects of legal practice, Hong Kong’s wigs stand as a reminder that some symbols retain their power precisely because they endure.