The gown and the bef

The gown and the bef


Lawyers, judges and public prosecutors wear a toga with a bef in the courtroom. A toga is a kind of black suit or, if you will, a black dress. The bef is the white piece of cloth that hangs around the neck at the front.

the gown

Since 1838, the modern legal profession has been obliged to wear a black gown with a white bib during court hearings and when taking the oath . Or, as the Regulations [1] put it at the time:

“[…] a black undergarment, closed gown of black grain with wide sleeves; a cap of the same material, and a drooping bib of white batiste.”

Why a gown?

The purpose of the gown is to emphasize that the wearer is not acting as a person, but as an officer, such as a judge or lawyer. Because of the black toga everyone is equal and the distinction in clothing is negated. The white bef stands for neutrality.

Gown conditions

The Regulations from 1838 no longer apply, but have not changed much. The most recent Costume and Title Decree Judicial Organization ('Decree') states:

“The toga is a long, wide coat with a standing collar at a height of about 4 cm, which collar has an opening of 8 cm at the front in the middle. The gown is made entirely of black fabric, hanging down to about 10 cm above the ground, in the middle of the back under the collar, as well as laterally at the top of the wide sleeves, folded in, with folds at the bottom of the sleeves. of about 20 cm and on the front in the middle from top to bottom every 5 cm with a non-glossy small black button, in accordance with the illustrations attached to these Regulations.” [2]

The description given above refers to the toga for judges. The lawyer's gown differs slightly from this:

“The lawyers' gown is similar to that described in Article 3 , except that the gown is of dull grain or similar material without bands with cuffs of the same material on the sleeves.” [3]

This is very detailed and there is little variation possible. There is something to be said for this in itself, if you consider the purpose of wearing the toga.

Some lawyers seek variation by having a special inner lining sewn into the gown. The gown is worn closed. The inner lining is therefore not visible and it can be as exuberant as you wish.

A provision must be made at the bottom of the sleeves to prevent the sleeves from falling back. [4] In other words, there is an elastic band that you have to put your hand through.

the bef

The bef must also comply with strict regulations.

The bib consists of two pieces of pleated white batiste or a similar fabric attached to each other at the top, both pieces are 8 cm wide at the top when folded. The bef has a length of 30 cm and may not be wider than 15 cm at the bottom. [5]

the beret

A disused part of the costume of judges and lawyers is the beret.

The beret is a round headgear with a raised edge of 5 cm and a flat pleated top projecting 5 cm beyond that edge, which is provided with a square button in the middle, covered with the fabric from which the beret is made.

Lawyers may wear a beret, but it is not required. If they choose to wear a beret, the beret must be made of the same fabric as the gown. [6]

[1] Regulations concerning the title and the costume of the judicial officers, as well as the costume of the Attorneys, Procurators and Bailiffs dated September 14, 1838, (Stb. 36).

[2] Article 3 paragraph 1 Costume and title decree judicial organization of December 22, 1997 ('Decree').

[3] Article 28 Decision.

[4] Article 3 paragraph 2 Decree.

[5] Article 10 Decision.

[6] Article 30 Decision.

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