Supreme Court nominee Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei has come out strongly in favour of maintaining the traditional use of wigs and gowns by legal practitioners in Ghana, insisting that the attire plays a crucial role in preserving the dignity, identity and security of the country’s judicial system.

Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei dismissed previous suggestions to discard the courtroom dress code, warning that doing so could open the door to impersonation and diminish the professional distinctiveness of judges and lawyers.

“The wigs and the gowns have several significances,” he said. “Between 2012 and 2014, there was a proposal that we should not be wearing wigs and others, and we found that some people who were not lawyers were posing as lawyers—because it’s just a matter of getting a jacket and tie, and you can go to court and announce yourself.”

Justice Adjei welcomed Parliament’s recent reaffirmation of the traditional legal attire, noting that its importance is recognised globally. He stressed that in both international and national courts, robes are a standard of judicial identification.

“Wherever you go, every court has its own robe—international courts, national courts. To me, it sets you apart. It shows that this is a judge. It doesn’t take anything from us,” he added.

Responding to a question from Cape Coast South MP Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, who raised doubts about the continued relevance of the attire, Justice Adjei did not mince words in his rejection of any proposal to abandon it.

“I treasure it. Honourable Ricketts-Hagan, I will not support your position,” he said firmly.

Background to the robes

The tradition of courtroom wigs dates back to the 17th Century, when wigs became popular in British society during the reign of Charles II. Originally worn to disguise baldness often associated with syphilis, wigs quickly became part of elite fashion. By 1685, they had been adopted by the judiciary as a symbol of authority and formality.

In Ghana, the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) mandates adherence to dress codes set by the Ghana Legal Council, which includes the wearing of wigs and gowns during court proceedings. Lawyers and judges who fail to comply risk disciplinary action.

In 2017, then Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo issued a circular reinforcing the importance of legal dress, citing three key reasons: to preserve tradition and the uniqueness of the legal profession; to ensure security and anonymity of judges and lawyers; and to uphold the formal tone of judicial proceedings.

Justice Adjei’s endorsement of the practice adds to growing voices within the legal fraternity advocating for the continued use of wigs and gowns—not merely as a nod to history, but as a functional tool of professionalism and judicial decorum.