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Old Bailey, LONDON, EC4M 7EH

The Crown Court sitting at the Central Criminal Court deals with major criminal cases from within Greater London and, in exceptional cases, from other parts of England and Wales. Trials at the Old Bailey, as at other courts, are open to the public, albeit subject to stringent security procedures.

This photo shows the 12ft tall bronze statue of the Lady of Justice on top of the Central Criminal Court holding a 3ft 3in sword in her right hand and the scales of justice in her left. Representing Themis, the Greek goddess of order and justice, the statue dates from 1907, and contrary to popular belief, she is neither blind nor blindfolded which guarantees her impartiality.

Taken from the junction of Holborn Viaduct and Newgate Street, this photo shows the Central Criminal Court in Old Bailey EC4M 7NB, with the statue of Justice on the top of the dome. The building dates from 1902, but officially opened on Wednesday 27th February 1907. It stands on the site of Newgate prison which was demolished to allow the court buildings to be constructed of Portland stone on a granite foundation.

Taken from Old Bailey near Ludgate Hill, this photo shows the extension to the Central Criminal Court which was added to the original building in 1972. This court deals with major criminal cases from within Greater London and in exceptional cases, from other parts of England and Wales. Incidentally, the street called Old Bailey gets its name from the line of the City of London's fortified wall (or bailey) which runs from Ludgate Hill to the junction of Newgate Street and Holborn Viaduct.

Formerly the site of a prison-one that was immediately under the supervision and control of a Sheriff ("A Dictionary of London" Harben,H: London, Herbert Jenkins, 1918).

The Old Bailey is how the Central Crimimal Court in England is commonly known, being on the east side of the street called Old Bailey (to the right in the photograph). The court was built on the site of the former Newgate Prison to the designs of the architect Edward William Mountford (1855-1908) and was opened by King Edward VII in 1907. It was substantially damaged by bombing during the Second World War but was rebuilt in the 1950s. It is a Grade II* Listed Building.

This is a reference to the area once being popular with spurriers, who advertised their trade with signs depicting gilded spurs. Long, D. (2021). London’s Secret Square Mile. 2nd ed. Cheltenham: The History Press.

The Old Bailey, also known as Justice Hall, the Sessions House, and the Central Criminal Court, was named after the street in which it was located, just off Newgate Street and next to Newgate Prison, in the western part of the City of London.