Formal Rules

Formals are a vital part of the Hatfield experience. The weekly spectacle shared by generations of Hatfielders prior is something to be cherished. To ensure formals run smoothly and safely, we have some rules that we are all required to follow.

Dress Code

  • Attendees are to dress in accordance with the formal dress code.

  • Regardless of dress, all members must be gowned for the entirety of the formal.

  • Members may remove exterior attire at their discretion, provided gowns are strictly not removed.

  • The dress code is defined without reference to considerations of gender identity or expression.

  • Failure to meet the dress code standards is entirely at the Vice-President's discretion.

  • The default attire is academic wear; the following attire is acceptable:

    • Suit

    • Dress

    • Long trousers or a skirt

    • A shirt or blouse; shirts should be collared and should be worn with a tie or cravat

    • Smart shoes

    • Cultural and traditional dress

General Rules

  • All Attendees should arrive half an hour before formal commences at 7:00pm. Once sign-in is complete, no late arrivals will be allowed entry.

  • Each member may bring one bottle of wine per formal. All wine must be purchased from the college bar team (available from underneath the chapel at 6:30pm).

  • Members are to keep at a reasonable volume for the duration of the formal. Unless with the permission of the Master or Senior Man, absolutely no singing, chanting or alike is tolerated.

  • No one under any circumstances should be using devices such as mobile phones and cameras.

Leaving Policy

Please ensure you and your guests remain seated throughout dinner, especially during the service of food. Once Formal Hall has begun, it is not expected that anyone will leave for any reason nor move around. To do so could prove disruptive and, when staff are serving, dangerous.

Permission may be granted by the Senior Man to an individual to withdraw. Anyone leaving without permission should not expect to be allowed to return.

Nobody leaves once dessert has begun to be served (generally, once dessert is served, there is only 10/15 minutes of the formal left). If you leave during this time, you could face a disciplinary.


Please take responsibility at all times for your guests, thus ensuring a minimal amount of disruption to the running of the dinner.


The Food and Beverage Services Manager or JCR Vice-President are within their rights to ask students and guests to leave the Hall if they are disruptive and/or if they have consumed too much alcohol.


Your assistance in following these guidelines will be much appreciated.

  1. If a formal attendee needs to leave the hall due to medical exemptions, the person should notify either the Senior Man, Vice-President or the Welfare Officer beforehand, and any exemptions necessary will be given.

  2. Attendees of formal may leave the hall to use the toilet and re-enter on the following conditions:

    1. It must be in extreme circumstances. Should an individual be found to keep frequently exiting without medical reasoning, they will have the privilege taken away.

    2. Do not get in the way of the catering team. A member should only leave the hall when the starter or main course has been served, and all catering staff have left the hall.

    3. Ask permission from the Senior Man. The Senior Man has the right to turn down the request to leave the hall if they believe the system is being abused. Should you feel this is unjustified, you can contest this decision AFTER the formal by emailing the Senior Man, Vice-President, or the Welfare Officer.

    4. Do not leave in pairs/groups. Only one member from your group should leave at any one time. If you have a guest who needs to be directed to the nearest facilities, they can ask the Senior Man when leaving.

    5. Nobody leaves once dessert has begun to be served (generally, once dessert is served, there is only 10/15 minutes of the formal left). If you leave during this time, you could face a disciplinary.

    6. If you have a guest who needs to leave, the Hatfield member who invited them will be noted down. If you bring guests onto formal, it is your responsibility to inform them of the rules regarding leaving and general etiquette beforehand. You will be held responsible for your guests.

    7. You should only be standing during formal to ask the Senior Man for permission to leave, leaving or re-entering. When leaving or re-entering the hall, you should not use it as an opportunity to talk to others at the formal.

  3. The system should not be abused. "Abusing" the privilege includes, but is not limited to:

    1. Not returning to the hall.

    2. Using it to leave due to inebriation.

    3. Frequent leaving of the dining hall during formals throughout the year.

  4. Anybody may be removed from the Hall

    1. At the absolute discretion of the Food and Beverage Services Manager or their representative.

    2. Where they are deemed by the Vice-President to be the cause of excessive or continuous disruption.

  5. Under no circumstances will any member who leaves without permission or who is removed from the Hall be refunded the price of their seat or their wine.

  6. Members are to keep at a reasonable volume for the duration of the formal. Unless with the permission of the Master or Senior Man, absolutely no singing, chanting or alike is tolerated.

  7. Members are to dress in accordance with the formal dress code; default is academic wear (considered traditional smart, with exceptions for some themed formals. Cultural and traditional dress is also permitted.

    1. Regardless of dress, all members must be gowned for the entirety of the formal.

    2. Members may remove exterior attire at their discretion, provided gowns are strictly not removed.

  8. The dress code is defined without reference to considerations of gender identity or expression. Failure to meet the dress code standards is entirely at the Vice-President's discretion. The following attire is considered acceptable:

    1. Suit

    2. Dress

    3. Long trousers or skirt

    4. A shirt or blouse; shirts should be collared and should be worn with a tie or cravat

    5. Smart shoes

If you have any questions regarding the formal rules, please feel free to contact the Vice-President.