These courts are better known as the old Bailey, due to the street it is located in. We have been proud to support the Old Bailey, one of the UK’s most significant and historic courts, through a range of specialist risk management initiatives. Following similar incidents elsewhere in the country, we have advised on and part-funded the installation of hostile vehicle mitigation measures — helping to safeguard the building from potential impact damage and reduce the threat of terrorist attacks.
Working in collaboration with British Engineering Services (BES), we also arranged thermographic inspections to assess electrical safety and prevent fire hazards. In addition, we provided funding for the Fire Protection Association (FPA) to develop a comprehensive fire strategy, ensuring this iconic site is protected to the highest standards for years to come.
The Old Bailey occupies a historic location near the former Newgate Prison, where courthouses have existed since medieval times. The current building, completed in 1907, is topped with a 12-foot gold-leaf Lady of Justice on its 67-foot dome, symbolising impartiality and the rule of law. Its grand architecture has made it one of London’s most recognisable landmarks.
The Old Bailey was once the scene of public executions, including the last hanging in 1868. Over the years, it has hosted some of Britain’s most notorious trials, including serial killer Peter Sutcliffe (the Yorkshire Ripper, 1981), Nazi propagandist Lord Haw-Haw (1945), and early 20th-century cases such as George Joseph Smith (1915).
The building was severely damaged during the Blitz and rebuilt in the 1950s, reopening its Grand Hall in 1952. It also endured a 1973 IRA car bomb, which tragically killed one person and injured 200. These events highlight both its historical significance and its ongoing role as a secure, operational courthouse.