Black Tank in Court

**cessna152towser** · 11th July 06, 07:12 AM

Although I've been wearing my black tank for court duties quite often over the past three and a half years, only now does the new camera open up the opportunity for a photocall in the robing room.

The court house in Duns is 150 years old.

The barrel was a gift to the Council from the Australian town of Bassendean which derives its name from the small hamlet of Bassendean in Berwickshire, Scotland.

Heavyweight black wool kilt from The Kilt Shop, Galashiels. The black jacket which just peeps out from the court gown is a standard Argyle jacket.

**Alan H** · 11th July 06, 08:16 PM

So, me not knowing a thing about the Judiciary on your side of the pond, are you a barrister, or a judge, or something else?

I recall one of my faculty (I did IT support in a law school here in the USA) actually came back to California with a powdered wig, when He visited the UK in the early 1990's.

Nice, solid black kilt, BTW.

**Panache** · 11th July 06, 08:22 PM

I think the whole outfit is very dignified and appropriate for the distinguished court setting (what a very neat looking exterior of your court house).

You do need to straighten that tie though!

Cheers

**mrpharr** · 11th July 06, 08:27 PM

looks fantastic. it is amazing how versatile the kilt is in all walks of life. good stuff.
steve

**Riverkilt** · 12th July 06, 12:02 AM

Very nice,

I used to sell judge's robes back in the 1970s here in the U.S. I like the open look you have better than the closed "choir robe" look of our judiciary.

The kilt goes very well with the robe.

Visualizing you in a Utilikilts Black Workman's with that outfit...hmmmm

Ron

**Moose McLennan** · 12th July 06, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

...
You do need to straighten that tie though!

...

Ah, but a gentleman's outfit should NEVER be 100% perfect

Very striking, great pics!

M.

**cessna152towser** · 12th July 06, 03:54 AM

Alan H wrote:-

So, me not knowing a thing about the Judiciary on your side of the pond, are you a barrister, or a judge, or something else?

I am a Solicitor (= attorney). The District Court is the lowest grade of criminal court and sits within the Sheriff Court house two days per month. It deals with motoring offences; petty drugs crime; minor assault; vandalism. There is a bench (judges) comprised of three lay people, none of whom have any legal qualifications. I sit at the table in front of the bench and record their verdicts and sentences, in my role as the legally qualified Clerk/Assessor to the Court. I am required to keep the bench right as to the range of their sentencing powers available for the particular offence, although the actual sentence is decided by them. I am also required to advise them as to points of law and procedure and as to the validity of evidence heard at trial. I return to the court office later in the week to check and sign off all the letters and court minutes. I am a retired local government manager, qualified in law, and do court work on a part time self employed basis, both as Clerk/Assessor in the District Court and as Agent (Attorney) in cases coming before the Sheriff in the Sheriff Court.