Middlesex Guildhall, Government building in Parliament Square, Westminster, United Kingdom
Middlesex Guildhall is a public administration building on Parliament Square in Westminster that now houses the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. The facade extends across nine bays and displays a mix of Gothic pointed arches, ornate bay windows, and stone sculptures that set the structure apart from the surrounding parliamentary buildings.
The building was constructed between 1906 and 1913 to designs by architect James Gibson on the site of a former refuge tower. Conversion into the home of the highest court took place in 2009, following the separation of judicial functions from the Lords.
The name recalls the historic county of Middlesex, which once covered much of what is now London. Visitors notice the building's purpose through elaborate stone reliefs showing figures from the legal profession and allegorical representations of justice.
Visitor exhibitions on the ground floor explain how the court works and are free to access, while the courtrooms themselves can only be entered during public hearings. Security checks at the entrance are standard, so plan a little extra time for entry.
A heavy door from the demolished Tothill Fields Bridewell prison was built into the new structure and recalls the long tradition of justice at this location. The bell in the tower still rings today for special occasions and judgment announcements.
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