Dubbed ‘The first Court still sitting’ by one legal historian, the US’s Supreme Court has retained many traditions.
The longevity of tenure is one such tradition, with the longest being 36 years and 6 months by Justice William O. Douglas and Justice John Paul Stevens recently retired in 2010 after 34 years.
The nine Justices are seated by seniority on the Bench with the Chief Justice in the centre then alternating right and left by seniority. Justices have traditionally worn black robes whilst in Court with all attorneys initially wearing formal ‘morning clothes’. However, this tradition is now followed only by government lawyers and officials of the Department of Justice.
The traditional seal of the Supreme Court is still in use, similar to the Great Seal of the United States but with a single star beneath the eagle’s claws to symbolise the Constitution's creation of “one Supreme Court”. The seal used today is the fifth in the Court’s history.
White quill pens are still placed on counsel tables each day that the Court sits as was done since it began despite them now being superfluous. The ‘Judicial Handshake’ has also been a tradition since the late 19th Century where each Justice shakes hands with the others. Introduced by Chief Justice Fuller, it serves as a reminder that differences of opinion do not impede upon purpose.
Written by Coco Clelland
Artwork by Zara Masood
コメント