The Central Criminal Court, commonly known as The Old Bailey (a bailey being part of a castle), is a Crown Court (criminal high court) in London, dealing with major criminal cases in the UK. It stands on the site of the mediaeval Newgate Gaol, in the street also called Old Bailey which is situated between Holborn circus and St Paul's Cathedral. The present building dates from 1907 and was designed by E.W. Mountford.

From 1970 to 1972 a new South Block was built containing more modern courts.

The Old Bailey is where Sir John Mortimer practised as a barrister. His courtroom experiences led him to create the fictional character Horace Rumpole, alias Rumpole of the Bailey.

See also: Courts of the United Kingdom

External links

• The Proceedings of the Old Bailey London 1674 to 1834 - Archive of case details
• Central Criminal Court from the architectural heritage section of the City of London website