# What's a Canadian courtroom like? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162 "2005-09-05T04:07:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/1 "2005-09-05T04:07:16Z")
Are Canadian courtroom layed out like British courts (ie accused in a seperat dock) or American ones (defendant sits with defence counsel)? Do Canadian judges wear wigs? Do lawyers wear robes? What variation is there by court level (provicial court, superior court, appeals court, etc) and by region (Alberta, Yukon, Quebec) How are judges addressed? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/2 "2005-09-05T04:12:47Z")
\*\*Northern Piper \*\* gave some details (post no. 22) in [this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=330898&highlight=supreme+court+wales+wigs) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/3 "2005-09-05T05:04:43Z")
I’ll re-post it: > [@](#): > > When I go to court in Canada, the outfit depends on the court and the type of proceedings. In the lower provincial courts (Provincial Court, municipal court, traffic safety/justices of the peace), male lawyers just wear suits and ties (females wear whatever the female equivalent is to suit and tie - as a mere male, I wouldn’t presume to try to prescribe what that equivalent might be!) Some daring souls have tried sports jackets, and one or two have even gone to turtlenecks, but I’ve heard that such sartorial experiments may trigger disapproving comments from certain judges. > > In the superior courts (i.e. - provincial trial and appellate courts where the judges are appointed by the federal government; the Federal Courts; and the Supreme Court of Canada) we gown for trials and appeals. (And yes, “gown” is a verb.) That is, we wear a white shirt with a wing collar (similar to a tuxedo shirt, but without the frills); two long white tabs instead of a tie; a long-sleeved black waistcoat; and a black gown (sort of like a cape) over the waistcoat. We don’t wear wigs. However, if it’s just a chambers appearence, we wear suits and ties (if male). If I’m not sure what to wear I’ll phone the local registrar and ask if I’m to gown for the appearence. > > In my jurisdiction, we address the Provincial Court judges as “Your Honour” and the superior court judges as “M’Lord” or “M’Lady”. In the Supreme Court, we use “Justice So-and-so” in English, and “M. le juge / Mme la juge” in French. The physical lay-out varies tremendously, depending on the community. Some courthouses are very impressive and traditional - wood decor, etc. Others may be very modern and utilitarian. As well, Provincial Court goes out on circuit and sits in Legion halls, community centres, etc. in small towns - buildings that aren’t designed to be court houses. The prisoner normally sits in a dock, but in complex cases where it’s important for the accused to be able to communicate with counsel during the course of the trial, defence can apply to have the accused sit at the counsel table. The basic court structure is common across Canada. Unlike the US, we don’t have a separate Federal Court with extensive jurisdiction. Our provincial superior courts have a unified jurisdiction that includes both federal and provincial matters. The Federal Court is very much a specialised court. ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/4 "2005-09-05T06:25:29Z")
Further to what \*\*Northern Piper \*\* said, the year that I was articling, one or two Provincial Court judges could be quite, um, sharp, on the subject of appropriate dress for appearing in court. One of my classmates was sent home because the judge felt she was inappropriately dressed for court; it wasn’t formal enough because she was neither wearing a suit jacket and skirt, nor a dress. And I recall hearing of one male articling student who got quite a lecture when he appeared in court wearing a sweater and tie. He hadn’t expected to be in court that day. For QB court, women wear the same clothing as men, except, I at least, wore a skirt. And let me tell you, the layers of clothes could get hot in a trial in June in a courthouse without air conditioning. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been in a court room, and longer since I articled. Ah, memories. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/5 "2005-09-05T08:27:44Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > a long-sleeved black waistcoat I’d always thought a waistcoat (weskit) was a vest. How can something with sleeves be a vest? Please cite appropriate statutes and like that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/6 "2005-09-06T04:34:18Z")
My Lord, We would submit that linguistic authorities recognize two different, albeit related, definitions for the noun, “waistcoat.” If Your Lordship would care to refer to Tab 5 of our Book of Authorities - no, My Lord, I believe Your Lordship has picked up my learned friend’s Book of Authorites - ours is the blue Book of Authorities, not the turquoise Book of Authorities - yes, My Lord, that is it - yes, it is rather weighty - sadly, some of your fellow judges have been rather prolix - Tab 5, My Lord - yes, you have it. You will note there, My Lord, that the [American Heritage College Dictionary](http://www.bartleby.com/61/98/W0009800.html) gives two definitions for the word “waistcoat” - yes, My Lord it is sometimes pronounced “weskit”, usually by Niles Crane wannabes - no, My Lord, I was not aware you prefer to use that pronunciation - as Your Lordship pleases. In any event, we quote two definitions: > [@](#): > > 1. A garment formerly worn by men under a doublet. 2. Chiefly British A short, sleeveless, collarless garment worn especially over a shirt and often under a suit jacket; a vest. Now, while the second definition is the more common meaning, we are dealing here with a matter of considerable antiquity. Your Lordship is doubtless aware that our garb is descended from medieval attire, when gowns or doublets were worn over other layers of clothing. The climate of England was of course permanently inclement, and central heating non-existant. Our long-sleeved under-garment is descended from the long-sleeved waistcoats worn under doublets and other gowns, and is appropriately denominated a “waistcoat.” One interesting example of the antiquity of our waistcoat is that unlike waistcoats worn as part of a three piece suit, we button the lowest button. Of course, the lowest button on a waistcoat of a three piece suit is not buttoned, out of deference to a difficulty once experienced by His late Majesty Kind Edward VII, of rather portly frame, who found it impossible to button up the lowest button. Since no-one could be better dressed than His Majesty, of course his courtiers began to leave that button undone, setting a fashion that endures to this day. Since our waistcoat predates that modern custom, we of course do not button our lower buttons. We do not bow to the passing fashion fads of such recent provenance - His late Majesty reigned a mere century ago, and there is no guarantee such a whimsical trend will stand the test of time. Only the most portly barristers now would leave their lower button undone - really, My Lord? I was not aware - perhaps I could suggest a subscription to the “Y”? In any event, those are our submissions on behalf of our client, My Lord, unless Your Lordship has are any questions. Contempt, My Lord? surely not… ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/7 "2005-09-06T16:36:38Z")
:: looks around at the thread :: Wow. I live in the same country, but a totally different universe… ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/8 "2005-09-06T16:53:54Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > In any event, those are our submissions on behalf of our client, My Lord, unless Your Lordship has are any questions. Contempt, My Lord? surely not… Just where can I find a picture of the g/d thing. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/9 "2005-09-06T18:10:04Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > Just where can I find a picture of the g/d thing. Tsk, tsk. Language, my dear fellow! [Motion to Enter Supplementary Evidence (No. 1)](https://www.gaspard.ca/xl/waistcoat-xl.htm) [Motion to Introduce Supplementary Evidence (No. 2)](http://www.stanley-ley.co.uk/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.stanley-ley.co.uk/acatalog/Stanley_Ley_Court_Waistcoats_and_Barrister_Trousers_9.html&CatalogBody) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/10 "2005-09-06T18:26:42Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > My Lord, > > SNIP SNIP Thanks for making my day! Brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/11 "2005-09-06T18:35:18Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > Tsk, tsk. Language, my dear fellow! Don’t come Miss Susy Prude with me, counselor, I happen to know you come from Rhymes-with-Vagina. > [@](#): > > [Motion to Enter Supplementary Evidence (No. 1)](https://www.gaspard.ca/xl/waistcoat-xl.htm) Granted. Send No. 1 to my chambers immediately. \< **BANG** \> Adjourned for a crumpet break. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-canadian-courtroom-like/320162/12 "2005-09-07T01:39:52Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > \< **BANG** \> Adjourned for a crumpet break. Oh, and did I mention that our judges don’t use gavels? They keep control of their courtrooms by their stately presence alone.