Geoffrey Caesar, Solicitor

If you have ever seen a lawyer carrying a bundle of papers tied with a coloured ribbon, you may have wondered what it means. If you walk through the Inns of Court in London and glance through the windows of barristers’ chambers you will often see huge piles of files bound with tape of various colours, but mostly pink.

Using ribbons to bind legal documents is a centuries-old tradition with practical and symbolic purposes.

In this blog post, I will explore the history and meaning of the different coloured ribbons used by lawyers on document files in the English legal system.

Pink Ribbon

The most common colour of ribbon used by lawyers is pink. The pink ribbon is used to tie up briefs, which are the instructions a solicitor gives to a barrister to represent a client in court. The pink ribbon, also known as India or legal tape, is made of a robust cotton-like material that has been dyed.

The origin of the pink ribbon is not clear, but some possible explanations are:

• It was originally red but faded over time due to exposure to light. The term “red tape” comes from this practice and refers to the excessive bureaucracy or formalities hindering official action.
• It was influenced by the Vatican, where documents were also bound with pink ribbon in the 16th century.
• It was chosen as a contrast to the white ribbon used for briefs from the Crown, which I will discuss later.

The use of pink ribbon is a matter of tradition which has some symbolic meanings, such as:

• It signifies the confidentiality and trust between the solicitor, the barrister, and the client.
• It signifies the professionalism and expertise of the barrister, who is expected to master the brief’s contents and present them effectively in court.
• It signifies the unity and solidarity of the legal profession, as all barristers use the same colour of ribbon regardless of rank or status.

White Ribbon

Another colour of ribbon used by lawyers is white. White ribbon is used to tie up briefs from the Crown, which are the instructions a government department or agency gives to a barrister to represent them in court. The white ribbon is also made of a strong cotton-like material that has been dyed.

The origin of the white ribbon is also not clear, but some possible explanations are:

• It was chosen as a contrast to the pink ribbon used for briefs from other parties to indicate the special status and authority of the Crown.
• It was influenced by the royal coat of arms, which features a white shield with three lions passant guardant in pale.
• It was influenced by the white paper, an official document that sets out government policy or proposals.

Like pink ribbon, the use of white ribbon is a matter of tradition which also has some symbolic meanings, such as:

• It signifies the impartiality and integrity of the Crown, which acts in the public interest and not for any private or partisan motive.
• It signifies the respect and deference owed to the Crown, which is the source of all legal authority and power in England.
• It signifies the responsibility and accountability of the Crown, which is subject to the rule of law and judicial review.

Other Colours of Ribbon

Besides pink and white, lawyers sometimes use other colours of ribbon for different purposes. Some of these are:

• Green ribbon: This was used to sew up court documents, such as pleadings and affidavits. It also indicated that a document was original, not a copy. Nowadays, most court documents are filed electronically or in loose-leaf form.
• Black ribbon: This is still sometimes used for probate papers, which are the documents relating to the administration of a deceased person’s estate. It signifies the solemnity and finality of the probate process and the mourning and respect for the dead.
• Blue ribbon: This is sometimes used for academic papers, such as dissertations and theses. It signifies the scholarly and intellectual nature of the work, as well as the achievement and recognition of the author.

Using these ribbon colours is not mandatory but rather a matter of preference or convention. They do not have any legal significance or effect, but they may have some symbolic or aesthetic value.

Conclusion

The use of coloured ribbons to bind legal documents is a tradition that dates back centuries. It has both practical and symbolic purposes and reflects the history and culture of the legal profession. The different colours of ribbons have different meanings and associations, depending on the type and source of the document.

If you need any advice on civil procedure, please get in touch with me using the enquiry form on gcaesar.com.