Ah, welcome to Nottingham Crown Court! Or as I like to call it, the "place where justice is served with a side of drama." This magnificent building on Canal Street is not just your ordinary courthouse. It's actually the meeting place of the High Court of Justice and the Crown Court. Fancy, huh?
Now, before this fancy courthouse was built, the Crown Court used to sit in the Shire Hall on High Pavement. But, as the number of court cases in Nottingham grew, they realized they needed a more substantial and sassy courthouse for all the criminal matters. So, the Lord Chancellor's Department picked this very spot on Canal Street, which was previously occupied by a row of shops, including a baker's shop owned by an amateur astronomer. I'm not sure if he used the stars to bake his bread, but it's certainly an interesting tidbit!
This new building, designed by architects P. Harvard, K. Bates, and J. Mansell, is a sight to behold. It has a glass atrium that juts out, connecting two wings faced with extensive expanses of stone. It's like a fashion runway for justice! Inside, you'll find a whopping nine courtrooms. That's a lot of judgment going on!
This place has seen its fair share of high-profile cases. Let me give you a sneak peek into some of the historic moments that have taken place here. We've got convictions for murders, attempted murders, and even some conspiracies. It's like a real-life crime thriller playing out right in our city!
Okay, that's enough courtroom drama for now. Time to move on to our next stop! Make sure to grab your metaphorical gavel and follow me as we head to the Royal Children, Nottingham. It's just a short walk from here. Let's go!
