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'Not in my court with those pants!' - Tamia Richards

-reprimands attorney Patrick Thompson for his attire while before the bench
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards reprimanded attorney at law Patrick Thompson for his attire in court this afternoon April 20, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Attorney at Law Patrick Thompson. Photo: VINO/File
Attorney at Law Patrick Thompson. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards reprimanded attorney at law Patrick Thompson for his attire in court this afternoon April 20, 2015.

Thompson was at the time making an appearance for a client when the Magistrate suddenly switched her focus from the case at hand to the attorney's garb.

After she made a comment that Thompson was not prepared for today's court session, Magistrate Richards asked, "What colour is your tie?"

Holding up the tie, attorney Thompson asked whether it is burgundy and not red and whether even burgundy was afoul of the court's dress code.

To this Magistrate Richards confirmed that the tie was offensive to the court.

Then she asked, "What colour are your pants?"

A bewildered Thompson looked at his lower garment and replied, "charcoal."

However, the Magistrate also read out the Riot Act for what appeared to be a pair of grey pants and told Thompson that they were a no no in her court.

She then said she doesn't know since when she has become the fashion police.

59 Responses to “'Not in my court with those pants!' - Tamia Richards”

  • .... (20/04/2015, 16:15) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    Look trouble for me
  • Hmph (20/04/2015, 16:23) Like (36) Dislike (13) Reply
    Looks like this Mag is getting a bit too important
    • zoe (20/04/2015, 16:40) Like (22) Dislike (20) Reply
      Yes tam should dem u the real boss and tis your court room
    • Boss (20/04/2015, 16:48) Like (31) Dislike (26) Reply

      She is acting like she is god now?! Really a bit too important.

    • apple (20/04/2015, 19:06) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply

      Out of all the many rules pertaining to British Court which the lawyers are aware of. Please review the following:

      Avoid sneakers, trendy clothing, lots of jewellery, loud colours (especially red), revealing outfits, outrageous hairdos, and stained or damaged clothes. Do not wear a lot of perfume, cologne or aftershave. Wearing leather is not advisable.
      Wear a suit, dress, or blouse and skirt if you are a woman. Do not wear spike heels, sandals or open-toed shoes. Wear a bra and pantyhose even if it kills you. Be sure your bra and slip are not showing.
      Wear a suit, jacket and tie, or shirt and tie (only if you don't own a jacket) if you are a man. Never wear a hat.
      • jail bird (30/04/2015, 22:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        You so confuse i was in the court with short pants and a vest a
        nd she didnt say nuttin
    • trrefdrfds (27/01/2021, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Long time
  • Enlighten Me (20/04/2015, 16:23) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    What are the allowed colors for British court?
  • Tamron (20/04/2015, 16:26) Like (25) Dislike (17) Reply
    Utter BS.
  • Bewildered (20/04/2015, 16:33) Like (36) Dislike (19) Reply
    Previously I supported the learnt Magistrate in taking a stand to restore oder in her court but now I am not too sure. Isn't she pushing the "buttons a bit too far"
  • LONGBUSH STUPIDITY (20/04/2015, 16:39) Like (45) Dislike (12) Reply
    This is utter nonsense! She does not need to be a fashion police but a magistrate dealing with substantive matters of law! Does she not see person's from the DPP's office with their big chains with their names written on it (seems like they forgot their names); long nails; and horse tails.

    Burgundy and charcoal are offensive?? Is it that she is so incompetent on matters of law that she must digress to being the fashion police?
  • just asking. (20/04/2015, 16:39) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
    What was he wearing a g string?
  • WHAT??? (20/04/2015, 16:43) Like (19) Dislike (9) Reply
    This is totally outrageous. No longer is the court nor its appointed servers there to assist the community and do its business. I think dress codes are stressed a bit too much. This means the individual loses time from work to come another day etc.
  • LONGBUSH STUPIDITY (20/04/2015, 16:47) Like (21) Dislike (14) Reply
    UTTER stupidity...we need ministers of justice and not persons who use the bench as a soap box for stupidity. They have lots to learn from the new magistrate from SVG and even John; this one comes nothing close to their league
  • Outlaw (20/04/2015, 16:57) Like (39) Dislike (14) Reply
    There is now a set dress code for all courts and it was the Chief Justice who set the standard. Attorneys of all persons should uphold this code and the rules of the court. Senior Magistrate Tamia Ruchards is just doing what she is mandated to do and who don't like her approach can take it to the lord in prayer. Much people here don't like Tamia because she is a BVIslander and much people feel she should go easy on BVIslander but the woman is fair and square and as a BVIslander she have a duty to protect her country from criminals and criminality
  • Really??!! (20/04/2015, 17:00) Like (10) Dislike (13) Reply
    Maybe they should just show up stark naked and then she will have something to talk about. I mean I understand certain colors should not be worn by lawyers in court but this magistrate seem to be exaggerating if his pants was indeed charcoal?!
    • Black starliner (20/04/2015, 17:33) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply

      @Really. Why don't you go in naked, you £$%e. There are standards man and all you guys got to do is just accept and aboide by them. Stop the Darm complaining and the negativity

  • PublicEnemy (20/04/2015, 17:07) Like (17) Dislike (21) Reply

    Wow! This magistrate gone berrzerk??!!!

  • long look me come from (20/04/2015, 17:24) Like (29) Dislike (33) Reply
    Tammy u born here so do not let them run u out of the bvi
  • chad (20/04/2015, 17:29) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
    Smh. Way to go. A red tie and grey pants are the exact things that prevent the dispensation of justice in our society.
  • Expat (20/04/2015, 17:43) Like (16) Dislike (13) Reply

    Lol, my my!!! This woman is hilarious, she needs to be a standup comedian not a judge.
    In all my experience working for the magistrate Court this is a first. 

  • Me (20/04/2015, 17:59) Like (12) Dislike (14) Reply
    With all due respect does the Magistrate behave like this with BVIslander lawyers? DPP lawyers or is it just expats she is picking on? Look closely, ting to talk!
  • Smily (20/04/2015, 18:01) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hmm, I think she did the best thing, because very soon all those attorneys will feel as though they can wear anything in the court and eventually it will get out of hand. If Miss Richards didn't say anything he might probably do it again or another attorney might probably do the same thing.
  • Maatow (20/04/2015, 18:08) Like (44) Dislike (8) Reply
    When you are blessed you dont' have time for stress but when your life is miserable every little thing bothers you.
  • .......... (20/04/2015, 18:35) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    The rules are the rules
  • apple (20/04/2015, 18:51) Like (25) Dislike (31) Reply
    I Love this Magistrate, she is a true representative of the BVI people. Man am proud!!! Set them straight Madam...
    These so call Lawyers just need some class in themselves. Well, respect for the code also.
  • Pax (20/04/2015, 19:08) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
    The Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court, who hails from Virgin Gorda, recently issued a reminder of the dress code for court - so please leave this magistrate alone. If you're upset take it up with the CJ!
    • Ex magistrate (22/04/2015, 22:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

      Get the facts straight. The Chief Justice never stated that a lawyer, in the Magistrate Court, cannot wear charcoal pants and burgundy tie. This magistrate needs to start doing the work of the court and stop nit-picking.
      Is she there to dispense justice or to act as a police orderly. Shame on this lady. 

      • tola (26/04/2015, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lawyers need to start wearing their robe/ gown over their clothes when appearing in the court room.
  • Bvi lander (20/04/2015, 19:12) Like (20) Dislike (21) Reply
    That is the height of nonsense!!!!
    She needs to focus more on her decision making in the court....seriously
  • maude (20/04/2015, 20:14) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    this rule should apply at the peebles hospital . look at how some of those doctors does go to work looking .and also wearing their gowns so dirty what a shame and nobody telling them about it
    • TalkDat (20/04/2015, 23:43) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      They be wearing some bright ugly floral dresses to lol
      • Fashion cop (21/04/2015, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        I agree with you, . Those running the hospital dem EXPATS don't know how to dress prancing up and down in them loud floral dresses
  • order (20/04/2015, 20:20) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    It about time some bring back order in this place I agree with you Tammie
  • wize up (20/04/2015, 21:09) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply

    Is this woman married

  • Great Idea (20/04/2015, 22:14) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    The VIP should make she speaker of the house next year when they get in.
  • Concern 1 (20/04/2015, 22:18) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Protocol is protocol and as a people we do not like to heed as such. She is right. For example female teachers are not to be on the job sleeveless,low cut dresses and skIrts,no long slits and showing of too much cleavage, etc. Where by on Fridays you may be a little mufti or casual as the case may be. Then it is the same people like us gonna go behind her back and report her to high office that she is allowing for things to get out of control. It seems as something similar to this happens before and it only seems as if someone is trying to get her out of her job/position or to be fired. Simple that.
  • ww (20/04/2015, 23:13) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    heard them island man lawyer trying to sign a paper on she but HERE SHE BORN SHE AINT GOING NO WHERE
  • kelly (21/04/2015, 02:20) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    What has that got to do with anything? Patrick knows exactly how he is to appear in court.
  • wize up (21/04/2015, 06:15) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    nice to see someone in leadeship position standing up in our country; some persons wants to come to the BVI and conduct themselves as they wish,and fully well know while "outside" of the BVI they follow all the regulations....who vex,vex; all i am saying, more of our leaders must take a stand so that we can have a better BVI...a numers of persons comes here and trying to turn this place up-side-down while some of our leaders simply allowing it to continue....."run your court-house young lady"....
  • as i see it (21/04/2015, 07:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everyone has their own agenda. The persons you should be looking to for guidance are the ones to be misleading you. Who can lead you through the legal process? (Money makers)
  • Hmm (21/04/2015, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what is the dress code then ?
  • i was hacked (21/04/2015, 09:42) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply


    Allyou had to bring up this born here crap into this? Nobody cares about if she’s born here or not, it has nothing to do with this, is that the only card all you can play?
    Peaple are addressing the petty fights she picks in the court instead of dealing with important matters. So women cant focus with a charcoal pants in their sight? Or a burgundy tie? SMH I didn’t know women were so easily distraceted. So she will stop in mid sentence like “ in the case against Mr. .. ouu charcoal pants that riminds me I have to buy coals for the bbq I’m having this weekend,” STRUPS…
  • lawbvi (21/04/2015, 09:45) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    This Magistrate needs to focus on the law and the matters at hand and not on Counsel's attire. To my knowledge attorneys are allowed to wear black, charcoal, gray and even navy. Do your thing my boss, BVI's star attorney. Tamia needs to be dress her self and stop worrying about others.
  • hmmmmmm (21/04/2015, 10:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The question is what case was it i think it was done as delay
  • Sensible (21/04/2015, 10:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh Tamia

    You are one of the most respected magistrates we have and Mr Thompson one of the most respected lawyers. You are both in the business of respecting the judicial system that allows for charged people to receive a fair trial or consideration of their actions. This is not about you - get over it.
  • bvi (21/04/2015, 11:15) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Somebody need to tell she something about the way she wears her hair. I swear she does be going to primary school with those hairdos. lmao
    • grammar (21/04/2015, 13:05) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yes, you need to go back to Primary school and work on your grammar; at least Tamia knows how to speak and write English.

      SMH
  • Protocol (21/04/2015, 12:31) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    I believe the Magistrate should have asked the Court to go on recess and address the matter in chambers Both persons should seek to protect the integrity of the Judicial they have sworned to up hold. Public embrassment should be avoided when possible.
  • ------------------------------- (21/04/2015, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    next time dress like the POPE and you will be ooookkk
  • hi (22/04/2015, 17:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    strupes was it that serious ,I dont think so .people that think they have to much power
  • sharp dressed man (22/04/2015, 20:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Glad to see the BVI government, especially the 'justice' system, is making it clear to all that what you wear is
    much more important than the dispensation of justice or the fairness even remotely possible within that system.
    It is most important that all the people here are made aware that their clothing matters much more than they do,
    and that who or whatever is behind this is obviously some kind of nazi hiding out somewhere since the 1940's.
    Cause this is plain ridiculous beyond belief. Good luck!
  • P (24/04/2015, 21:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If that attorney was at a certain court in London, infront of a certain judge and was not in proper court dress, hell would have broken loose - he would have been shouted at in the worst way and told to leave court. For men either a double breasted suit or a single breasted suit with a waistcoat in one of the following three colours: black, dark grey or navy blue. Jackets must be buttoned at all times


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