Royal Courts of Justice

Royal Courts of Justice
The facade onto Strand
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeCourt
Architectural styleGothic Revival
AddressStrand
City of Westminster
WC2A 2LL
Town or cityLondon
CountryEngland
Coordinates51°30′49″N 0°06′48″W / 51.51361°N 0.11333°W / 51.51361; -0.11333
Current tenantsHM Courts & Tribunals Service
Groundbreaking1873
Opened1882 (1882)
Cost< £1 million
Technical details
MaterialPortland stone ashlar and red bricks with granite, marble and red sandstone dressings and slate and lead roofing
Floor countFive
Design and construction
Architect(s)George Edmund Street
Main contractorMessrs Bull & Sons
Other information
Public transit accessLondon Underground Temple
Website
Official website
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameRoyal Courts of Justice: The Law Courts, Screen Walls, Gates, Railings and Lamps
Designated5 February 1970
Reference no.1264258

The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is a court building in Westminster which houses the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales. The High Court also sits on circuit and in other major cities. Designed by George Edmund Street, who died before it was completed, it is a large grey stone edifice in the Victorian Gothic Revival style built in the 1870s and opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. It is one of the largest courts in Europe. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]

It is located on Strand within the City of Westminster, near the boundary with the City of London (Temple Bar). It is surrounded by the four Inns of Court, St Clement Danes church, The Australian High Commission, King's College London and the London School of Economics. The nearest London Underground stations are Chancery Lane and Temple. The Central Criminal Court, widely known as the Old Bailey after its street, is about 12 mile (0.8 km) to the east—a Crown Court centre with no direct connection with the Royal Courts of Justice.

  1. ^ Historic England. "Royal Courts of Justice: The Law Courts, Screen Walls, Gates, Railings and Lamps (1264258)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 October 2020.