The recent acquittal of the Colston 4 demonstrates the power of trial by jury. While our courts had only heard cases ruled in by a magistrate, in the early 1970s they were adapted to become jury courts. Read more
Believe it or not, this old Navy ship was moored at Portishead in the Bristol Channel, and used as an industrial school specialising in training boys for sea-faring careers. Read more
These courts have played an important part in the lives of young people in the past as well as the present. Before the mid-1800s, children faced the same punishments as adults and were tried in the same courts Read more
The magistrates or police courts were opened in March 1880. They dealt with a range of what were considered minor offences from common assaults to petty theft, to truancy and driving violations. Like modern magistrates courts, decisions were made without a jury, leaving the most serious cases to be tried at the jury courts. Read more
Have you spotted Lady Justice perched above the entrance to the courts on Bridewell Street? The sword in her right hand symbolises the power of judgment, and the scales in her left, the careful weighing of evidence. Her statue is supported by the city’s coat of arms, and carved details of a torch representing the light of truth, and the sword and scales of justice. Read more
As part of our work to redevelop the old Magistrates Courts, social historians Rose Wallis and Laura Harrison, and UWE History students, have been working with the project’s youth steering group to explore the stories of the people who passed through the courts. Read more
Before the mid-1800s, children faced the same punishments as adults and were tried in the same courts. Sometimes their age was taken into account, but there wasn’t a separate system of youth justice or custodial institutions just for young people. Read more
As part of our bid to redevelop the old Magistrates Courts, social historians Rose Wallis and Laura Harrison, and UWE History students, have been working with the project’s youth steering group to explore the stories of the people who passed through the courts. Read more