Why Do We Enclose Old Bailey?

For my expert for a day report I have chosen Old Bailey. This is London’s central criminal court. It is in the western part of London next to Newgate Prison. There is a significant amount of history surrounding this building along with many unknown facts and a tie to the criminal justice system.
The Old Bailey Courthouse was built in 1673 and is still used today. During this time the courthouse was rebuilt several times however, the basic design of the courtrooms remained the same. In the courtroom the accused stood at “the bar” which was directly facing the witness box and the judge was seated at the other side of the room. In, 1666 the medieval courthouse was destroyed in the Great Fire of London and it was not until 1673 when it was rebuilt as a three-story Italianate brick building.
Besides this courthouse being taller it also had one wall missing from the courtroom to allow fresh air to reduce the risk of prisoners suffering from gaol fever which could infect the others in the courtroom (Emsley, Hitchcock, Shoemaker., 2017).
However, in 1737 Old Bailey was remodeled and enclosed. A major factor to enclose Old Bailey was to keep the weather out and limit the influence of spectators. Thirty-seven years later in 1774 George Dance rebuilt the courthouse, putting a semi-circular brick wall in front of it. This wall would be used to secure the prisoners awaiting trial. For the next one hundred and thirty-three years only, minor updates occurred with the upkeeping of the courthouse. King Edward VII ordered for a new building which was finished and opened in 1907. This new building included a “12-foot gold leaf statue of “lady of justice” holding a sword in one hand and the scales of justice in the other and over the main entrance of the building figures were placed representing fortitude, the recording angel, and truth, along with
the carved inscription, “defend the children of the poor and punish the wrongdoer”” (Emsley, Hitchcock, Shoemaker., 2017). Then in 1941 Old Bailey was heavily bombed and rebuilt. There was an extension added in 1972 which can still be visited today and hold trials of local and national significance.
Since this building has been in use since 1673 there is a large amount of information that everyone might not know. For instance, “in all the 18 courts the central chair is always reserved for the Lord Mayor, who is the Chief Justice of the City of London” (Old Bailey History, 2012). There have been many famous trials held at Old Bailey, these include Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, William Joyce, John Christie and Peter Sutcliffe. In the 18th century the writings of the Newgate Ordinary, the prison chaplain, made many trials famous. Old Bailey has struck fear in murderers, rapists and other wretched criminals because of its ‘Dead Man’s Walk’ reputation. Hundreds have made this walk after a judge ordered their execution (Edwards, 2013). There are many television shows, movies and books that use Old Bailey. For instance, Tales of Two Cities (book), Patriot Games (novel), Bad Girls (television show), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (movie) are all examples of Old Bailey being used in today’s popular culture.
Relevance of Old Bailey to the world around us is that it is still used for its original intent today. Also, people may not realize it, but Old Bailey has been the center of many court settings that take place in London on movies, shows or books. Old Bailey sets as a historical site for people to visit and learn about law, see the updates to the court room and see the historical trials that have taken place over the years in the courtroom. Many people in the United States might not know much about Old Bailey since there are many courthouses in the US but there is an important relevance and significance to people in the UK.
Old Bailey has a tremendous tie to the criminal justice system. The courts are a part of the criminal justice process in every country. After a person is arrested they will go to court to figure out their fate and if they will be found innocent of guilty. When working in the criminal justice system there is a possibility that you will have to sit in on trials, testify in trials or do work in the court house. After visiting the courthouse, it will help us see how the criminal justice system is in the UK. Which will give us better understand how the court system is similar to our courts in the United States.
Old Bailey has been around for more than three hundred and forty-four years and still has relevance today. There is a large amount of historical background that is around Old Bailey, along with being a factor in the criminal justice system. London has relied on this courthouse to help them bring criminals to justice for many years and continue to use it today.