Big wigs
Sir: Of course the legal wig is an anachronism ('When Harry met silly', 16 June). But then so is the yarmulke, the mitre, the biretta, the bearskin, the mortarboard and all other forms of ceremonial headdress. I have already been published in the press on the merit of the wig in promoting anonymity and obscuring decrepitude. Its real importance is, however, a heritage issue. For a family lawyer such as myself it evidences a golden thread of continuity that stretches back beyond the great statute of 1857, beyond Dr Lushington, and into the wonderful realm of 18th-century family law. It is a heritage recognised whether I appear before the Court of Appeal in London, or before the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands, or before the Court of Appeal of Hong Kong (which sits, bewigged, under its vivid red symbol containing five stars signifying the sovereignty of communist China). So far as I am aware, no decision has been made to abolish wigs in civil appeals here and I protest against any proposal to do so.
Nicholas Mostyn QC Temple, London EC4
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