Are the robes custom or are they the same robes used in other venues?
I thought that he was moonlighting for Adidas.
No, but it’s customary. The U.S. Supreme Court has no written rule about it of which I’m aware.
jackdavinci, other than the late Chief Justice Rehnquist’s, American judges’ and justices’ robes are essentially the same, except for some minor stylistic differences. There is also some variation as to cost and material. In our court, it’s customary for a new judge’s former coworkers to pitch in to buy him his first robes, which are then ceremonially presented when the judge is sworn in.
Jesus that was 40 years ago.
Now that’s a supreme court I could really get behind!
Roddy
Supreme STYLE!
I SO love the costume design for the original La Cage…it’s like Sergeant Pepper meets Close Encounters…
Milk and cookies? Ha! Single malt - that’s the ticket!
The judges only wear the Santa Claus robes for formal occasions, like the swearing-in of a new justice of the Court, or the Speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament. They used to wear them on the first and last day of term, but don’t follow that practice any more.
They also used to wear them for appeals in capital cases, but since Canada no longer has capital punishment, that’s also fallen by the wayside.
Now, they just wear the black robes similar to those worn by QCs, with a long-sleeved vest with heavy cuffs, plus a white shirt with tabs.
I like the Spanish robes, & the simple robes in former Warsaw Pact countries. The Commonwealth robes are a bit much, & the German Constitutional Court judges look like Cardinals.
Puerto Rico wears the Spanish robe (with the white lace cuff, minus the breast crest), with a broad front placket that’s sometimes velvet, sometimes plain fabric. Who knows if we could lobby Sonia to add that accent.
All Day I Dream About Supreming?