A unique exhibition – the robes of judges from the Supreme Courts of European countries – will be on display for Museum Night visitors at the Supreme Court on 17 May.

The exhibition will show the power of tradition in the similarity and diversity of judicial symbols. Twenty-four Supreme Courts responded to the call to lend their judicial attires.

The judge's robe is a symbol of the judiciary, embodying the status and independence of the judge. The robe distances the judge from what is personal, making him or her impartial and granting him or her the special power to administer justice.

The tradition of judicial robes has its roots in the vestments of priests and ritual symbols of ancient cultures, when justice was administered in temples or sacred places and priests were also experts in law serving as judges. Their robes were ceremonial, symbolizing authority and divine connection with justice.

In the Middle Ages, there were ecclesiastical courts, and priests also participated in city and royal courts since they were educated and knew how to write. In medieval Europe, university graduates joined the courts as judges, many of them were professors who also wore robes. In the 12th/13th century, royal courts established robes for judges, which had to be worn when administering justice.

In more recent times, the function of administering justice was taken over by secular authorities, who rejected religious ceremonies and the presence of priests in court. However, many symbols, including the judge's robe and chain of office, were retained to ensure the authority of the judicial proceedings and the importance of the ritual.

Different countries developed different traditions for the symbols of the judicial office, including the fabric, colour, and other features of the robes. There are countries where judges' robes are still decorated with animal skins.

 The exhibition will show what judges' robes look like in present Europe.

We would like to thank the Fashion Museum and the National History Museum of Latvia for their support in organizing the exhibition!

 

The exhibition of judges' robes is part of the extensive Museum Night programme at the Supreme Court. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet senators in a courtroom, visit the Supreme Court Museum and view the senators' gifts donated to the museum, take a look at the office of the President of the Supreme Court, view the three portrait galleries of Senators, Honorary Judges and Presidents of the Supreme Court. Children are welcome to watch animated films about the court, to draw or take photos with Themis.

The Supreme Court will be open during Museum Night on Saturday, May 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

We are located in Riga, Brīvības bulvāris 36, entrance from Elizabetes iela.

Please note that there will be a security check at the entrance to the court and every visitor will be required to present a valid ID (passport or ID card). The flow of visitors will be regulated according to the capacity of the premises.

 

Information prepared by

Rasma Zvejniece, Head of the Division of Communication of the Supreme Court

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: +371 67020396, +371 28652211