Old Bailey

About Old Bailey

Court in London and one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court

The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly called the Old Bailey after the street on which it stands, is probably the most famous criminal court in the world and has been London's principal criminal court for centuries, one of several buildings housing the Crown Court. The street outside follows the line of the ancient Roman wall around London, of which this area formed part of the defensive bailey, which likely gave it its name. The court has occupied a succession of buildings on the street since at least the 16th century, when it was attached to the medieval Newgate Prison; the present main block was completed in 1902 (Wikivoyage says 1907) to a design by Edward William Mountford and is Grade II* listed for its monumental architecture, and the South Block extension was built in 1972 over the site of Newgate Prison, demolished in 1904. The dome is crowned by the famous gilded statue of Justice with her sword and scales, and above the entrance is carved the motto "Defend the children of the poor and punish the wrongdoer". The Crown Court sitting at the Old Bailey hears major criminal cases from Greater London and, in exceptional cases, trials referred from elsewhere in England and Wales, and its courtrooms have witnessed the most celebrated trials in British history. As at most courts in England and Wales, trials are open to the public from the viewing galleries, subject to stringent security. The court is famous in popular culture through the barrister Rumpole of the Bailey in John Mortimer's novels and television series.

Where:

London, United Kingdom