Lawyers abandon wigs in Malawi heatwave

Unusually hot temperatures of more than 40C in Malawi have forced lawyers to abandon a tradition of wearing wigs and gowns in court.

The country’s main opposition party are currently challenging the results of May’s presidential election at the Constitutional Court in the capital, Lilongwe.

With more than a dozen lawyers, five judges hearing the case, court staff and security detail, in attendance – as well as journalists reporting the case live – there are close to 50 people in the small court room at a time.

Lawyer Chikosa Silungwe successfully petitioned the court to make an exception to the usual dress code given the sweltering heat, and complained that the air-conditioning unit wasn’t up up to the task.

source: BBC