Central Criminal Court — Local services in London

The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly referred to as the Old Bailey from the street on which it stands, is a court in London and one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court. Part of the present building stands on the site of the medieval Newgate gaol, on a road named Old Bailey that follows 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. The Old Bailey has been housed in several structures near this location since the sixteenth century, and its present building dates from 1902.

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; however, they are subject to stringent security procedures. History

Newgate gaol in 1810. For much of its history, the "Old Baily" court was attached to the gaol.

An Old Bailey trial, circa 1808. The court originated as the sessions house of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London and of Middlesex. The original medieval court was first mentioned in 1585; it was next to the older Newgate gaol, and seems to have grown out of the endowment to improve the gaol and rooms for the Sheriffs, made possible by a gift from Richard Whittington. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt in 1674, with the court open to the weather to prevent the spread of disease.

Plaque commemorating Bushel's Case of 1670 In 1734 it was refronted, enclosing the court and reducing the influence of spectators: this led to outbreaks of typhus, notably in 1750 when 60 people died, including the Lord Mayor and two judges. It was rebuilt again in 1774 and a second courtroom was added in 1824. Over 100,000 criminal trials were carried out at the Old Bailey between 1674 and 1834.[1]

In 1834, it was renamed as the Central Criminal Court and its jurisdiction extended beyond that of London and Middlesex to the whole of the English jurisdiction for trials of major cases. Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service manages the courts and administers the trials but the building itself is owned by the City of London Corporation, which finances the building, the running of it, the staff and the maintenance out of their own resources.[2]

The court was originally intended as the site where only criminals accused of crimes committed in the City and Middlesex were tried. However, in 1856, there was public revulsion at the accusations against the doctor William Palmer that he was a poisoner and murderer. This led to fears that he could not receive 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.

In the 19th century, the Old Bailey was a courtroom adjacent to Newgate gaol. Hangings were a public spectacle in the street outside until May 1868. The condemned would be led along Dead Man's Walk between the prison and the court, and many were buried in the walk itself. Large, riotous crowds would gather and pelt the condemned with rotten fruit and vegetables and stones.[2] In 1807, 28 people were crushed to death after a pie-seller's stall overturned. A secret tunnel was subsequently created between the prison and St Sepulchre's church opposite, to allow the chaplain to minister to the condemned man without having to force his way...

READ BEFORE YOU VISIT Want to know what you can and cannot take into the Central Criminal Court? Trying to get information before visiting is pretty awful. We knew we couldn't take our mobile phones in and certainly didn't plan on bringing any weapons or drugs with us on this particular occasion. However, after queueing for around twenty minutes we got to the public entrance door where there was a very long list of prohibited items that included smart watches and it specifically mentioned Fitbits. So we were turned away and had to go back to the Premier Inn where we had dropped off our bag. Would recommend this. It's just a few minutes away and booked via the Stasher app (which I was quite impressed by and will definitely use again) Even the list online here is not as comprehensive as the one right at the entrance. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/about-us/law-historic-governance/prohibited-items.pdf Other useful advice is I would have liked is more clarification on Dress code. This is announced as being smart casual so that means no shorts etc. You WILL be fine wearing jeans. Another example where someone could be caught out by the specifics of the abridged version in the link above, is they mention no combs with sharp points, but on the list by the door, it says no afro...

I spent almost 3 weeks on jury service at the Old Bailey, London and I'd give it two thumbs up! See history in action and learn about the legal system in this totally interactive experience, which after almost 500 years of being in business must surely must rank as one on London's top attractions! Spend days in a fully immersive courtroom environment, where you can enjoy spellbinding performances from judges, barristers and witnesses alike. Make new friends during the climactic 'deliberation,' in which you must sit in a room with random strangers deciding the fate of another human's life. Be part of real time intense drama as you deliver your verdict! (but watch out, some disgruntled family members of the accused might direct their fury at you from the public gallery...) There's many fantastic days out, friends to be made and an altogether unforgettable experience at the Old Bailey, London.

NB this activity might not be suitable for younger children as some of the details of the murder cases do get into rather...