If you are an applicant, respondent, claimant or defendant going to court, your clothes should help you feel steady and respectful – not more anxious. You do not have to own a suit or tie, but you should look clean, tidy and comfortable.

This guide is for men attending:
- Magistrates’ court
- County court and small claims hearings
- Family court
- Other civil or tribunal hearings in England and Wales

It is written for people representing themselves, not for solicitors or barristers.

However worrying things feel now, it is still possible for everything to be okay in the end. What you wear is only one small part of the day.

Table of contents

1. How magistrates and judges view what you wear
Expectations for non‑lawyers in court.

2. Simple rules: what to avoid wearing
Clothes that can distract from your evidence.

3. Practical outfit ideas for men
Smart‑casual, more formal, and low‑cost options.

4. Comfort and long court days
Choosing clothes that work when you are under stress.

5. Using Caira to prepare your statement and questions
Getting help with submissions and practice questions.

6. Review checks before your court hearing
Quick list to run through the day before.

1. How magistrates and judges view what you wear


In England and Wales, courtrooms can feel formal – wigs, gowns, legal language. But for applicants, respondents, claimants and defendants, the expectations are more relaxed than many people fear.

- Judges and magistrates see many people every week who are nervous, unrepresented, and worried about what to wear.
- They understand that not everyone can afford new clothes, especially for a one‑off court hearing.
- They are mainly interested in what you say, whether your evidence is consistent, and whether you are honest.

You are not required to look like a solicitor or barrister. You do not have to own a three‑piece suit.

What they do expect is that you:

- Show respect for the court by looking reasonably neat
- Avoid clothing that is likely to offend or distract

Think “ordinary, tidy day at work or an important appointment”, not “wedding” or “funeral”.

2. Simple rules: what to avoid wearing

There is no strict dress code for people using the courts, but some clothing choices can send the wrong message.

Try to avoid:

- Tracksuits and sportswear – they can look like you have not prepared.
- Clothes with offensive images or words – anything showing sex, violence, drugs, gore, or aggressive slogans.
- Very dirty or heavily ripped clothing – it can distract from your evidence.
- Caps or hats inside the courtroom (unless for religious or medical reasons).
- Sunglasses (unless medically required).

These suggestions are not about judging your background or style. They are about keeping the focus on your evidence as an applicant, respondent, defendant or claimant.

3. Practical outfit ideas for men

You can usually build a suitable outfit from clothes you already own.

Option 1: Simple smart‑casual

Suitable for most magistrates’ court, small claims and family court hearings:

- Clean shirt or polo shirt (plain or simple pattern, no big slogans)
- Jumper, cardigan or simple jacket
- Dark trousers or smart jeans without rips
- Clean shoes or smart trainers

Option 2: More formal (if it boosts your confidence)

Some people feel calmer in more formal clothes. If you prefer that, you could wear:

- A shirt with a simple tie
- Trousers and a blazer or suit jacket
- A matching suit if you have one

If you work in a professional or trusted role (for example doctor, teacher, accountant, civil servant, tax adviser), a suit and tie can reflect that. Blue and navy are often seen as trustworthy, calm colours.

Option 3: Very tight budgets

If money is tight:

- Focus on cleanliness, fit and comfort rather than buying new items.
- Pick your neatest everyday outfit and wash and iron it if possible.
- Borrow a shirt, jumper or jacket from a friend or family member if you can. Or buy an item from a charity store for £1-3

Courts understand that many people in front of them are under financial pressure. You do not need to spend money on clothing if it will cause more stress.

4. Comfort and long court days

Hearings can involve a lot of waiting and sitting. Your clothes should not add to your stress.

Consider:

- Layers: A jumper or jacket you can remove if you are hot is useful.
- Shoes: Wear shoes you can walk and stand in for long periods. Painful formal shoes will not help you give clear evidence.
- Fit: Choose trousers and a shirt that do not dig in when you sit. Anxiety can already affect your breathing and stomach.

Remember that many judges use kinder, more normal language in person than you may have seen in letters from solicitors. They know that people in front of them are often scared. You are allowed to be nervous. Taking a slow breath before you speak is fine.

Whatever happens on the day, it is one step in a longer process. With good preparation, things can gradually become more manageable.

5. Using Caira to prepare your statement and questions

Clothing is the easy part. The harder part is what is in your paperwork and what you say.

If you are an applicant, respondent, claimant or defendant, you can use Caira, an AI‑powered legal assistant for England and Wales, to help you prepare for your court hearing.

With Caira you can:

- Upload court forms, particulars of claim, defence documents, witness statements and other submissions (PDF, DOCX, spreadsheets, photos and screenshots).
- Ask Caira to review your statement and highlight parts that may be unclear or confusing, with suggestions for calmer, clearer language.
- Ask for practice questions that a magistrate, district judge or the other side might ask you, so you can rehearse your answers at home.
- Get explanations of terms such as ''respondent'', ''defendant'', ''claimant'', ''small claims'' and ''directions'' in plain English.

Caira uses generative AI but is built to be privacy‑first. Your documents are not used to train public models and are not shared with third‑party reviewers. It draws on a library of more than 10,000 legal and tax documents for England and Wales alongside your uploads to give context‑aware answers.

You can start with a free 14‑day trial that takes under a minute and does not require a credit card. After that Caira is an affordable monthly service at £15/month – a relatively cheap way to feel more confident before and after your hearing.

6. Review checks before your court hearing

The day before you go to court, run through this quick list:

- Outfit check – Are your clothes clean, comfortable, and free from offensive wording or images?
- Paperwork check – Do you have your court papers, statements, any letters from the court or other side, and your notes?
- Route and timing check – Do you know how you will get to court and when you need to arrive?
- Mindset check – Remind yourself that the court is there to listen to your side too. Your clothes only need to be neat and respectful; they do not have to be perfect.

However the hearing goes, it is rarely the end of the story. With time, support, and clear information, things can become easier to handle.