The Myth of the Barrister’s “Purse”

The Myth of the Barrister’s “Purse”

A material tube extends from this "purse" over the left shoulder and hangs above the torso. It is referred to as a "tippet" and is known as a liripipes.

The junior barrister's gown is a type of legal gown worn by barristers who have been called to the Bar but have not yet achieved seniority. It is typically made of black wool and features long, open sleeves, with a flap collar that extends down the front of the gown. The gown is worn over a barrister's wig and is typically accompanied by a white wing-collared shirt, a black waistcoat, black trousers or skirt, and black shoes. What makes the gown distinctive is the appendage that hangs on the back and extends as a tube over the left shoulder.  Some say this was originally a purse.

The Myth

The reason for its existence is unknown to many even among the practitioners. According to the myth, when the attorney desired a "refresher," he would toss the liripipes over his shoulder, where his client would insert coins.

“The gown of an English [junior] barrister has traditionally a fold in the back, [said to be] in memory of the original pocket into which his fees were dropped. The counsel was not supposed to be able to see it. He could not sue for his fee in an English court, as it was an honorarium for his services and was usually placed into his gown pocket before he undertook the pleading. If the barrister chose to retain the fee, but not carry out his obligation, no power could bring him to book for such an offence”. (Hay: Book of Legal Anecdotes (1989) p.255)

The function of the pouch or tippet is to allow clients to pay the Barristers fees in pounds shillings. Traditionally, the client will pay the lawyers by placing their fees into the back of the tippet. The client is not supposed to pay directly to the Barristers for services rendered. The long string in front is held by the barristers so that their fees mostly in pound shillings won't drop off from the tippet.

Furthermore, it is believed that the tippet may have originated from the mourning hood that was introduced after the demise of Charles II. This constituted a component of the customary attire worn during periods of mourning in that era. Historically, it was customary to hold the liripipes in the left hand. The liripipes, a strip of cloth that traditionally hung down from the back of a robe, have persisted in contemporary fashion as a decorative element that drapes down the front of modern gowns.