A LEGAL PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 19

A LEGAL PROBLEM

HATLESS WOMEN IN COURT To-day's big legal problem is: Can a woman be compelled to wear a hat in a court of law: hatless women were in the news again recently when ont: court objected and another did no. states the News Chronicle. The matter was also raised in the House of Commons when it was stated that the Home Secretary did not think it necessary to give courts any guidance. Mr Poole (Labour. Lichfield) wanted him to discourage discrimination against women witnesses without hats. ... „ ... ' (Considered judgment of the Justice of the Peace." an authority in these matters, given some 18 months ago. was: " We know of no rule of law compelling women witnesses or defendants to wear hats.") A magistrate who objects to hatless women in court is Captain V. A. Lawford, who Dresided at Watford. When two women told him they did not wear hats, he said: "Then the case will be put back until you find something lo cover your heads." Later they reentered court with handkerchiefs over their heads. _ „ _ At Hendon the clerk (Mr E. R. Ray-mond-Bond) was not so sensitive. When a solicitor apologised because a woman called hurriedly to give evidence, had no hat. Mr Bond said: "It makes not the slightest difference She is entitled to be dressed as she likes so long as she is not disrespectful to the court." But the woman borrowed «> hat before giving evidence. Mere man also has his sartorial worries in court. A window cleaner who attended Brentford County Court in overalls and shirtsleeves was told by Judge Drucquer that he was not Droperly dressed, and . fined 10s. The man. a judgment debtor, explained that he had come to the court straight from his work, but the judge told him: "That's not the way to come into a court of justice." Later the man borrowed a coat and returned to the court, and the judge then remitted the fine.