in with the old

The very name ‘Old Bailey’ — the nickname for the country’s Central Criminal Court — is enough to send a chill down the spine of even the most innocent Londoner. It has long been associated with the trials of the most notorious criminals in England, during which murder and mayhem are daily staples.

The nickname comes from the road on which it stands, following the line of the old Roman wall (a ‘bailey’ is an old English castle). More chillingly, it stands on the site of Newgate Prison, made notorious through the novels of Charles Dickens, which stood here for more than 700 years. The gaol was the scene of public executions until 1868 and the cell for the condemned still exists in the basement. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, is one of the long list of famous names who spent time in Newgate.

The Central Criminal Court is a more refined affair these days, but the crimes on trial remain serious. In the interests of justice, the public is admitted to most of them. Security, as you would expect, is tight, and no bags, cameras or mobile phones are allowed in the public gallery. However, admission is free and it’s a fascinating experience to see a trial in process, with robed judges watching lawyers as they patiently dissect witness testimonies or quiz the accused in a clinical style very different to the over-dramatics of TV.

Atop Bailey’s dome is the figure of the Lady Justice with scales and sword in hand. She appears regularly as a background image for news reports on the venue’s trials; most people are surprised that she’s not blindfolded as is often thought. Justice clearly needs to keep its eyes open. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Image: Photolibrary