Concerns over violence and threatening behaviour sees robing pilot introduced for judges in Central Family Court

Judges sitting at the Central Family Court will wear robes during proceedings from this week (15 April 2024), in a pilot intended to explore the impact of increased formality in family courts.

The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary said this “follows concern about incidents of violent and threatening behaviour experienced by judges and court users”.

Unlike in criminal proceedings, robes are not normally worn by judges in family courts.

The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary said judges in the pilot would not wear wigs, and practitioners would not be expected to wear robes.

The pilot was approved by Sir Andrew McFarlane, the President of the Family Division, and will run for an initial three-month period.

A survey will be conducted before, during and after the pilot to assess if robing makes a difference to family court proceedings. This evaluation will consider the number of behavioural incidents experienced and judges’ perceptions of their own authority and safety, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary said