The field of law has many traditions and rituals, and chief among them is the wig and gown. While the wig isn’t a formal part of the courtroom attire in places like the United States, it still is worn in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and in many places around the world.

The wig was a sign of privilege and elite in the 17th century, and law was a trade that was taken on by a learned person of great educational knowledge and thus was regarded as high class. Barristers wear a slightly different style of wigs than that of a judge, whose wigs are more ornate and are often full-length. Most wigs are made of white horse hair, but the wig yellows over time. However, this is seen as a badge of honour, as the yellowing of the wig denotes great experience in the field.

The gown was first instituted even further back in the mid-1300s, when judges were instructed to wear special clothing to attend royal courts. Surprisingly, the gowns were not originally black – they actually came in different colours for each season of the year. The black gown became more standardised around the year 1635, and that has been the traditional attire of the judge since then. Although it is not technically required of the judge to wear a black gown, many do out of respect for the tradition and to distinguish themselves as an authority figure.

Another tradition of law prevalent in the United Kingdom and territories influenced by British customs are the four Inns of Court: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Middle Temple, and Inner Temple. Membership is for life and you may only join one of these inns as a barrister. They each have their own unique characteristics and rich history.

Gray’s Inn: This is the smallest of the four inns. Due to the smaller membership, many barristers who are a part of this inn say they felt a strong sense of community and a closeness with their fellow colleagues. The grounds are quite peaceful and boast a beautiful 17th-century garden, The Walks. Famous members of the inn include Sir Frances Bacon and Thomas Cromwell.

Lincoln’s Inn: Lincoln’s Inn is the largest of the four inns, with over 21,0000 members—many of whom are spread all across the globe. The inn holds high regard for barristers’ ability to debate and hosts four events annually, centred around competitive debate. The inn holds an annual garden party and is home to a vast outdoor space, the Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Inner Temple: Inner Temple is the second largest of the inns and lies in an area called Temple—the London headquarters of the Knights Templar in the 12th century. The Temple Church built there was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Inner Temple prides itself on helping students with non-traditional backgrounds attain success in the field of law through scholarships.

Middle Temple: The Middle Temple is a smaller inn, which is famous for its ancient vibe and being nearly impossible to find. This inn also strives to assist and award scholarships to those in need who demonstrate great potential. It is also famous for its annual Rosamund Smith mooting competition for the society’s student members.

While many traditions have gone by the wayside, these traditions, organisations, and rites of passage in the field of law are a subtle nod to its long, rich history.