Deep navy blues, black, burgundy, gold and white are easily associated with concepts such as authority, trust, seriousness and impartiality.
This is precisely the colour language referred to when we speak of law colours’ The aim here is not merely to appear serious.
The first impression a legal brand or legal information platform makes on a user is also influenced by the choice of colours.
For a user accessing resources such as ConsumerShield whilst seeking information on consumer rights and legal matters, a sense of trust is one of the key elements of their relationship with the content.
The colours used in the visual identity can also help to establish this feeling within the very first few seconds.
So, which colours are most commonly associated with the law?
Navy Blue: The Classic Colour of the Legal Profession That Inspires Confidence
Navy blue is perhaps the most commonly encountered colour in the legal sector. The reason for this is simple: it conveys both a sense of seriousness and calm.
Whilst bright blue can sometimes be perceived as too energetic or technology-focused, dark navy blue creates a more controlled impression.
This is why it is frequently seen on law firms’ websites, business cards, signage and corporate documents.
Using shades of navy blue with white or light grey creates a clean look.
When gold details are added, the design takes on a slightly more traditional and prestigious feel.
Example colours:
- Black — #000000
- Charcoal grey — #36454F
- Onyx — #353839
- Jet black — #343434
Charcoal works particularly well on legal websites featuring long blocks of text. It looks almost black but appears softer on screen.
Burgundy: A Sense of Tradition and Experience
Although burgundy is not used as frequently as navy blue, it is a colour that suits the legal world very well.
As it belongs to the dark red family, it is a strong colour, yet it does not appear as aggressive as bright red.
It also blends in easily with old law books, leather-bound files and classic office décor.
For this reason, long-established law firms or brands seeking a more traditional identity may opt for shades of burgundy.
A few options that work well:
When burgundy is paired with cream or warm white, it creates a more classic look.
When paired with dark navy, however, the design retains its formal feel whilst gaining a little more character.
Gold: Subtle Touches for Prestige
Gold is not usually the primary colour in legal design. And it’s actually better that way.
This colour works best in fine details.
Logo outlines, icons, button edges or small accents in headings are sufficient for this purpose.
Excessive use of gold can make a legal brand appear unnecessarily flashy.
When used sparingly, however, it creates a strong contrast against dark colours such as navy blue or black.
Suitable shades:
- Gold — #D4AF37
- Antique Gold — #CFB53B
- Dark Gold — #B8860B
- Champagne Gold — #C5B358
The combination of navy and gold is a particularly popular choice for classic legal attire. Here, the role of gold is not to draw attention, but to add a subtle accent to the design.
White: Impartiality and Transparency
White is often seen as a background colour, but in legal design it serves a slightly broader purpose.
Courts, justice and legal proceedings can be weighty subjects. If the design carries the same weight, it can be tiring for the user.
White space helps to alleviate this intensity.
A dark navy blue header, black text and generous white space are a sufficiently professional combination for most legal websites.
Apart from pure white, slightly warmer options can also be used:
In designs featuring burgundy and gold in particular, Off-White or Ivory may look more harmonious than pure white.
Gray: The Silent Ally of Legal Design
Grey doesn’t usually take centre stage, but it’s very useful in legal colour palettes.
It can help to balance out the dominance of darker colours in form fields, lines, secondary text, background blocks and menus.
Another advantage is that it creates distinct layers without unnecessarily expanding the colour palette.
Shades such as Slate Grey or Cool Grey pair well with navy blue. Warmer shades of grey, on the other hand, work well with burgundy and gold.
How Should Legal Colours Be Used Together?
In legal design, it is not necessary to use five different colours at the same time. In most cases, two main colours and one accent colour are sufficient.
Navy + White + Gold creates a more classic and corporate look.
Charcoal + White + Navy is suitable for more modern legal websites.
Burgundy + Ivory + Gold, on the other hand, creates a traditional, more formal identity.
The Navy + Light Grey + White combination works well in minimalist and digitally focused designs.
The key lies not so much in the individual colours as in the balance between them. A design aiming to convey trust in the legal sector does not need to be overly flashy. A dark base colour, easily readable text and a few carefully placed accents are often sufficient.
This is why the world of legal colours has revolved around navy, black, burgundy, gold and white for so long.
These colours are not used because they are fashionable; they continue to be used because they visually convey concepts directly linked to the law, such as authority, order, trust and impartiality.