Old Bailey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Image:Oldbaileylondon-900.jpg

The Old Bailey.

Image:Old Bailey Microcosm edited.jpg

An Old Bailey trial circa 1808.

Image:Southblockoldbailey.jpg

South Block, Old Bailey.

For other uses, see The Old Bailey (disambiguation).

The Central Criminal Court in England, commonly known as the Old Bailey, is a court building in central London, one of a number housing the Crown Court. The Crown Court sitting at the Central Criminal Court deals with major criminal cases from Greater London and, exceptionally, from other parts of England. It stands on the site of the mediaeval Newgate Gaol, on Old Bailey, a road which follows the line of the City's fortified wall (or bailey), and gives the court its popular name. It lies between Holborn Circus and St Paul's Cathedral.

1 The City of London Corporation and the Court House
2 The building and its history
3 Judges
4 In popular culture
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] The City of London Corporation and the Court House

The court house originated as that of the City of London's Sheriffs Court for the City and County of Middlesex, for which county the City controlled by right since the earliest. The Corporation still owns and controls the Court House and until the late twentieth century controlled the appointment of the judges, although they still nominally appoint the Recorder and Common Serjeant as these are also the City of London's senior legal advisors. The Recorder of London is of the same status as an Alderman and is a member of the Court of Aldermen. The second judge likewise, is originally the City's 'Common Council's Serjeant at Law'. The official who acts as the senior administrator of the building is also a City officer, the 'Secondary & Under Sheriff'. All three take part in the City of London's two meetings of 'Common Hall' at Guildhall. That on Midsummer's Day were the Livery elect the Sheriffs and that at 'Michaelmas Day' to elect the Lord Mayor, where they participate as returning officers and are on hand to advise on legal challenges from the floor. They also participate in sundry other City ceremonies, the 'Silent Ceremony' (ie admission and Oath of Lord Mayor), the 'Admission of the Sheriffs', 'United Guilds Service' and others. Additional to these, the Recorder and the Secondary are respectively also the 'High Steward' and the 'High Bailiff' of Southwark, ie the small area to the south of London Bridge which the City has controlled and largely owned since granted by Royal Charters of 1327 and 1550. This involves the Summoning and Swearing of the Southwark Manors three Courts Leet Juries and their Foremen and Officers, usually in mid November. This limited jurisdiction was retained under the Administration of Justice Act 1977, which elsewhere abolished these courts. All three officers and the City's Sheriffs actually reside within the Old Bailey complex, an arrangement originally endowed by Sir Richard Whittington, by will ca 1423, to enable the effective control by the Sheriffs to execute process. Today they entertain the judges and distinguished guests at luncheon in the 'Lord Mayor and Sheriffs' Dining Room' within the complex.

[edit] The building and its history

The original mediaeval court was located on the western wall of the City of London, alongside the New Gate, and the complex was informally known as 'Dick Whittington's Palace' after that benefactor, who had spent so much time as Sheriff, Lord Mayor and Judge there. This was extended and over the years until destroyed in the 1666 Fire of London. It was rebuilt in 1674, with the court open to the weather to prevent the spread of disease. In 1734 it was refronted, enclosing the court and reducing the influence of spectators: this led to outbreaks of typhus, notably in 1750 when sixty people died, including the Lord Mayor and two judges. It was rebuilt again in 1774 and a second courtroom was added in 1824. In 1834 it was renamed as the Central Criminal Court and its jurisdiction extended.[1]

The Court was originally for trial only of crimes committed in the capital but in 1856, public revulsion at the accusations made against doctor William Palmer, that he was a poisoner and murderer, led to fears that he could not enjoy a fair trial in his native Staffordshire. The Central Criminal Court Act 1856 was passed to enable his trial to be held at the Old Bailey.

The present building dates from 1902 (officially opened on 27 February 1907), was designed by E.W. Mountford and built on the site of the infamous Newgate Prison, which was demolished to allow the Courts to be built. Above the main entrance is inscribed "Defend the Children of the Poor & Punish the Wrongdoer". King Edward VII personally opened the courthouse.

On the dome above the court stands a statue of Lady Justice by British sculptor F. W. Pomeroy. She holds a sword in her right hand and a pair of weighing scales in her left (representing Blind Equality). The statue is popularly supposed to show Blind Justice, with the figure depicted wearing a blindfold, but there is in fact no blindfold present.

During the Blitz, the Old Bailey was bombed and severely damaged, but subsequent reconstruction work restored most of it in the early 1950s. In 1952 the restored interior of the Grand Hall of the Central Criminal Courts was once again open.

From 1968 to 1972 a new South Block, designed by the architects Donald McMorran and George Whitby, was built containing more modern courts.

The Old Bailey celebrated its 100th Birthday on 27 February 2007 with a Reception attended by Queen Elizabeth II.[2]

[edit] Judges

All judges sitting in the Old Bailey are, unusually, addressed as "My Lord" or "My Lady" whether they be High Court, circuit judges or Recorders. The Lord Mayor of London and aldermen of the City of London are entitled to sit on the judges' bench during a hearing but do not actively participate in trials.

The most senior permanent judge of the Central Criminal Court has the title of the Recorder of London, and his deputy has the title of Common Serjeant of London. The present Recorder of London is His Honour Judge Peter Beaumont QC, who was appointed in December 2004 following the death earlier that year of his predecessor, His Honour Judge Michael Hyam. The present Common Serjeant is His Honour Judge Brian Barker QC. The position of Recorder of London should not be confused with that of Recorder, which is the name given to lawyers who sit part-time as Crown Court judges. A select number of the most senior criminal lawyers in the country sit at as Recorders in the Central Criminal Court. The present Secondary & Under Sheriff, who is not a judge, is Charles Henty.

Sir John Mortimer, a criminal barrister and author, often appeared at the Old Bailey. His courtroom experiences led him to create the fictional character Horace Rumpole, alias Rumpole of the Bailey.

[edit] In popular culture

In the book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the Old Bailey is the courthouse named in the book where Charles Darnay is put on trial for treason.
In the novel Patriot Games and the eponymous film, terrorist Sean Miller is tried in the Old Bailey.
The Old Bailey is destroyed by the character V in the graphic novel V for Vendetta and its film adaptation.
The television series Rumpole of the Bailey concerns a defence lawyer who works at the Bailey.
In the popular Australian folk song "Botany Bay", the first verse references the "well known Old Bailey". The song tells the tale of a group of prisoners being taken from Britain to the penal colonies of Australia.
In the movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, references are made to Old Bailey as the character Judge Turpin presides there.