PROPOSALS to scrap the formal dress worn in courts have met with a cool response from lawyers and court workers in Swindon.

The Lord Chancellor is currently carrying out a consultation on whether to scrap the wigs and gowns worn by judges and barristers in Crown Court hearings.

And he is looking into doing away with the black gowns worn by court ushers.

He said: "The job of our courts is to deliver justice.

"In achieving that aim the courts must be accessible, people must have confidence in them and court users in particular must feel as comfortable as possible when attending court."

By court users he said he meant victims, witnesses and jurors as well as defendants.

Staff at Swindon Magistrates' Court who spoke to the Evening Advertiser were all against the move.

Senior usher Les Francis said: "Without the gown I could be just anybody wearing a suit.

"It's an old custom and people do respect the gowns.

"If somebody sees me walking around in a gown it informs them of who I am and that they can approach me if they need assistance."

Con Fernandez, a criminal defence solicitor with the Hillman Partnership on Victoria Road, also agreed that formal court dress should be kept.

He said: "Criminal defendants show more respect to people if they are dressed for the part.

"If they are not dressed for the part then they become like anybody in the street and they don't get the respect the system deserves. That is what I find."

Swindon-based barrister and crown prosecutor Colin Meake wears a wig and gown when he appears at Crown Court.

He said: "I like the formality of a wig and gown but I think the fact that solicitors can't wear wigs in crown court is unfortunate.

"Either we all wear wigs or nobody does.

"It is a uniform like any other and it shows that the court demands dignity and respect."

Solicitor Rob Ross wears a gown when he represents defendants at Crown Court.

He said: "I think court is a serious place, and by dressing down you dumb it down."