There was exciting real-life courtroom drama at the Old Bailey today as one of Britain's most senior judges became the laughing stock of the gallery in Court 4 when his wig fell off.
Lord Chief Justice Tarquin Scoggins, 57, entered the Court 'fully thatched', but, as he took his seat and the members of the jury took theirs, his hairpiece became entangled with his gavel, and the wig became detached from his head.
Court ushers quickly gathered around the injured judge, and he was escorted back to his chambers where he was said to be 'recovering'. Doctors later said Lord Scoggins' condition was 'stable'.
The wig, bought at leading London wigmaker Thatcher & Thatcher, is thought to have been a top-of-the-range rug costing in excess of £1000.
The exciting interlude made a mockery of the outlandish claim that British courts are "dull, uninteresting, not to mention 'corrupt', places where 'you wouldn't want to take the kids'".
Last year at Manchester Crown Court, the court stenographer was hurt when she ripped her skirt on her chair, and three years ago at Southend Magistrates Court, another judge dislocated his shoulder when he fell asleep and tumbled from his 'pulpit'. His wig stayed on.
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said:
"Yes, courts can be dull, but when things like this happen, you realise what an exciting time life on the circuits can be."
Follow us on Twitter