Chester Crown Court, Crown Court at Chester Castle, England
Chester Crown Court is a courthouse at Chester Castle with a symmetrical stone facade of nineteen bays topped by a classical columned portico. The portico is supported by twelve Doric columns and commands views across Castle Square.
The present building was completed in 1801 and replaced an earlier courthouse that had stood since 1310. Its creation followed a design competition that judges organized in 1785 to build a modern courthouse.
The building expresses 18th-century ideas about courthouse design through its carefully crafted facade and columned halls that visitors see upon entry. The courtroom layout reflects how people thought about order and authority during that era.
The building is clearly visible from outside and the interior spaces are well organized to guide visitors through the courthouse halls. Note that security checks are strict and some areas are not open to the public.
The courthouse was the site of the notorious 1966 Moors Murders trial where protective glass was installed around the dock for the first time. This security measure made the trial a turning point in British legal history.
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