LettersA colonial relic like the judicial wig has no place in Hong Kong

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Imperialism wins not by enacting grand gestures, but by implanting grace notes in the societal machinery.

Hong Kong was subjected to British rule for over 150 years. Understandably, British influence is still omnipresent. English common law remains the bedrock of Hong Kong jurisprudence. Horsehair wigs remain ubiquitous in court.

Wig-wearing must be eradicated from Hong Kong. The practice is incompatible with Hong Kong’s subtropical climate. Litigators often lament that they have to travel between several courtrooms, juggling multiple cases while in frumpy robes and non-breathable wigs.

Hongkongers revel in the fairness of their legal system. Article 10 of the Bill of Rights Ordinance stipulates: “All persons shall be equal before the courts and tribunals.” Preserving a colonial relic disembowels this. Wigs were once worn as status symbols. Their perpetuation signals that lawyers are from a higher class and unable to relate to clients’ circumstances (especially in indigent defence). Alienation breeds self-censorship, which could easily become a communication barrier. A client who withholds information undoubtedly imperils the litigation outcome.