Permission visit kindly organised by Architectural Associates as part of their Hidden Space project.
The building of the Victoria Law Courts started in 1887 with a foundation stone laid by Queen Victoria and was completed in 1891 and opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Messrs Aston Webb and Ingress Bell of Westminster was the architect and Messrs, John Bown and Sons was the builder.
The external red terracotta comes from Ruabon in North Wales while the internal yellow terracotta was from a quarry in Tamworth.
At the time the estimated costs of building the courts would be around £78,000 but ended up being £90,000 for the shell, Once the furnishings, fittings panelling and lighting was added the total came to £113,000.
The building is now used as a magistrates court employing 110 full time staff. There are 8 district judges and 470 magistrates on the bench overlooking 17 court’s sitting each day.
Hmm, could be a boring report without pics.
The great Hall
Corridors leading off the Great Hall to the various courtrooms
Bloody photographers
Didn't they see the signs?
Public gallery, no longer used, with the defendants glazed secure box
Jurors bench to the right under the balcony where the verdict would be handed down from, hence the phrase "Handing down the sentence".
Very helpful and informative bloke stood in the witness box.
The stairs down to the cells.
Corridor outside the Law Library with pictures of past judges
Fireplace and rest area in the library
Modern day courtroom with the case being held on tablets and via the internet. Next to the guy at the back is a set of blue books called The Stones, all legal advice and guidance is in these books.
He wouldn't let me take a pic due to legal paperwork on the desk, said there was a sign somewhere about taking photographs.
I found some old ones somewhere else.
All in all a great day out, spent nearly two hours just wandering around and a perfect way to spend a wet Saturday morning.
Thanks for reading.
The building of the Victoria Law Courts started in 1887 with a foundation stone laid by Queen Victoria and was completed in 1891 and opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Messrs Aston Webb and Ingress Bell of Westminster was the architect and Messrs, John Bown and Sons was the builder.
The external red terracotta comes from Ruabon in North Wales while the internal yellow terracotta was from a quarry in Tamworth.
At the time the estimated costs of building the courts would be around £78,000 but ended up being £90,000 for the shell, Once the furnishings, fittings panelling and lighting was added the total came to £113,000.
The building is now used as a magistrates court employing 110 full time staff. There are 8 district judges and 470 magistrates on the bench overlooking 17 court’s sitting each day.
Hmm, could be a boring report without pics.
The great Hall
Corridors leading off the Great Hall to the various courtrooms
Bloody photographers
Didn't they see the signs?
Public gallery, no longer used, with the defendants glazed secure box
Jurors bench to the right under the balcony where the verdict would be handed down from, hence the phrase "Handing down the sentence".
Very helpful and informative bloke stood in the witness box.
The stairs down to the cells.
Corridor outside the Law Library with pictures of past judges
Fireplace and rest area in the library
Modern day courtroom with the case being held on tablets and via the internet. Next to the guy at the back is a set of blue books called The Stones, all legal advice and guidance is in these books.
He wouldn't let me take a pic due to legal paperwork on the desk, said there was a sign somewhere about taking photographs.
I found some old ones somewhere else.
All in all a great day out, spent nearly two hours just wandering around and a perfect way to spend a wet Saturday morning.
Thanks for reading.