| Victoria Law Courts, Birmingham | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Magistrates' court |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Location | Corporation Street, Birmingham, England |
| Coordinates | 52°29′0.75″N 1°53′36″W / 52.4835417°N 1.89333°W |
| Construction started | 1887 |
| Completed | 1891, (+1894, 1914) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Aston Webb & Ingress Bell |
| Main contractor | John Bowen and Sons |
| Awards and prizes | Grade I listed |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Designated | 21 January 1970 |
| Reference no. | 1075605 |
The Victoria Law Courts is a red brick and terracotta judicial building, which accommodates Birmingham Magistrates' Court, on Corporation Street, Birmingham, England. It is a Grade I listed building.[1][2]
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Transcription
ok ok We are the magistrates and we hear all the evidence in the case and decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. It is for the prosecution to prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt otherwise we will dismiss it. Traditionally there are three magistrates. I'm the chair and will decide the case with my two colleagues If my two colleages can't agree I will have the deciding vote occasionally we may have to sit as a pair and then decide the case between us Although we've had some training, we are not legal professionals and we are not paid. Magistrates hear all summary offences within their jurisdiction. They can also hear triable either way offences where the defendant has agreed that this can be case. If we believe that a trial is too serious we can refer the case up to the crown court . Even after we have heard a case we can refer that case to the crown court if we believe that our sentencing powers are not sufficient. I'm the legal adviser to the justices although you make still hear me referred to as the clerk of the court or the magistrates clerk and I am legally trained. My job is to ensure that everything runs properly and all the proper procedures are followed I'll ask a defendant to enter a plea and I will ask witnesses to identify themselves. I will advise the magistrates on legal matters and I will ensure that only admissible evidence is put before the court. If a defendant is unrepresented, I will advise them to ensure they get a fair trial I'm the Usher and I ensure that all witnesses have answered their summons I'll fetch witnesses in when they're called and administer the oath or affirmation when the witness is giving evidence I'll pass exhibits around the court. I can even fetch a glass of water for someone if they are thirsty. You'll hear me say all rise on the prosecutors mister doctors and prosecution caps there are three things that I was proved to the satisfaction of the court firstly the offenses being committed secondly that the defendant has committed the offence lastly that all the evidence has been gathered in accordance with the correct evidence gathered procedures fell to do any of those things and the defendant is entitled to an acquittal ok I will ask questions prosecution witnesses to enable them to give evidence kind of us leading questions will suggest answers obviously I can only present evidence that has been gathered help if there is a case to answer and the defense call witnesses that I can cross examine those witnesses remember the prosecutors are only as good as the evidence they'll skip up photos miss la rollet interests Moncler I can challenge evidence is not been gathered family in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and have the evidence excluded if if so required if you fat for exercise your house correctly can account adequately for all your actions initially little for me to challenge remember it's not for the defense to win the case for the prosecution's lose ok
History
For much of the 19th century, criminal court cases were heard in the Public Office in Moor Street.[3] However, in the early 1880s, as the number of court cases in Birmingham grew, the judicial authorities decided it was necessary to have a dedicated courthouse.[4][5] The site they selected on Corporation Street had been occupied by the old Birmingham Workhouse, which had been built in 1734[6] and cleared away as part of a larger scheme by the mayor, Joseph Chamberlain, to demolish old slums.[7]
The foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria on 23 March 1887 in her Golden Jubilee year.[8][9] Designed by Aston Webb & Ingress Bell of London after an open competition, assessed by architect Alfred Waterhouse, to provide the first assize courts in Birmingham, it is faced entirely in deep red terracotta from the clay of Ruabon in North Wales[10] and covered in intricate terracotta ornamentation. The design involved an asymmetrical main frontage facing Corporation Street, with a symmetrical centre section, a long wing with two gables to the left and a single gabled bay to the right. The central section featured a large round headed main entrance with multiple hood moulds flanked by turrets and, beyond that, by octagonal towers with conical roofs. A statue of Queen Victoria by Harry Bates surmounts the main entrance.[10] Other figures are by sculptor William Silver Frith to designs by Walter Crane.[10]
Built by Birmingham firm John Bowen and Sons, the courts were opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales on 21 July 1891.[8] Additions were made adding a projecting bow window on the left between 1891 and 1894 and extensions were erected along Newton Street in 1914.[10]
The interior, including the Great Hall, is faced with sandy-yellow terracotta and intricate ornamentation. The terracotta used for the interior was produced by Gibbs and Canning of Tamworth.[10]
Crown Court trials, i.e. criminal cases involving trial by judge and jury, moved to the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Dalton Street in 1987.[11]
A proposal was made, prior to the 2010 UK General Election, to move the magistrates' court to a new purpose-built building nearby.[12] The project was subsequently abandoned after HM Courts Service had its budget cut and after magistrates indicated their desire to remain in the Victoria Law Courts complex.[13]
References
- ^ Historic England. "Victoria Law Courts (Grade I) (1075605)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ^ Historic England. "Photograph and details from listed building text (1075605)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 June 2006.
- ^ Dent, Robert Kirkup (1894). The Making of Birmingham: Being a History of the Rise and Growth of the Midland Metropolis. J. L. Allday. p. 301. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ Wallsgrove, Jon (2019). The Architecture of Law Courts. Paragon Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-1782227021.
- ^ Rudge, Ted; Joseph, Mac; Houghton, John (2010). Birmingham Up Town Through Time. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1445626949.
- ^ "Records of City Hospital, Birmingham, previously known as Birmingham Workhouse Infirmary and Dudley Road Hospital". Calmview. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Birmingham's Hidden Spaces: Victoria Law Courts became jewel in 'terracotta city'". Business Live. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ a b McCarthy, Nick (27 December 2008). "Uncertain future for Birmingham courts landmark". Birmingham Evening Mail. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
- ^ "Birmingham: The Queen's Visit". The Illustrated London News. 26 March 1887. p. 337. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Forster, Andy (2005). Pevsner Architectural Guides - Birmingham. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10731-5.
- ^ Mulcahy, Linda; Rowden, Emma (2019). The Democratic Courthouse: A Modern History of Design, Due Process and Dignity. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 978-0429558689.
- ^ "Plans for new Birmingham magistrates court revealed". Birmingham Post. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Birmingham lawyers say new magistrates court is not needed". Business Live. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
This page was last edited on 20 March 2023, at 00:58