Old Bailey

views updated May 29 2018

Old Bailey. This is the popular name given to the Central Criminal Court in London, set up in 1834. It is the successor of the Old Bailey sessions of gaol delivery for Newgate prison and of oyer and terminer for the city of London and the county of Middlesex. The sheriffs of London were also sheriffs of Middlesex, and the lord mayor of London was included in the commissions of oyer and terminer and is still ex officio a judge of the Central Criminal Court. The jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court extends throughout the whole metropolis.

Maureen Mulholland

Old Bailey

views updated Jun 08 2018

Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) Court on Old Bailey Street, London. It became a crown court in 1971. The judges entitled to sit in the court include the lord mayor of London and the aldermen, as well as the recorder of London and the common serjeant.