Court, Newgate

An illustration of the old Court room, part of the Sessions House adjacent to Newgate Prison, from page 550 of 'The criminal prisons of London and scenes of prison life' by Henry Mayhew and John Binny. The authors describe the room as being "50 feet square. There are six small moveable desks, on which the judges take their notes, and write their communications, comfortably seated on cushioned seats of a crimson colour. The panelling is a tasteful wooden canopy, surmounted with the Royal arms beautifully carved. A sword of Justice, with a gold handle and ornamental scabbard is usually suspended under the canopy during the sittings of the Court. Opposite to the bench, on the other side of the Court-room is the dock, a small enclosure, 13 feet by 19, where the criminals stand to take their trial. The jury-box, consisting of two long seats, is situated on the right hand of the judges. The Clerk of the Arraigns occupies a desk beneath the bench, and fronting the dock. The attorneys are seated around a table, in the area of the Court, covered with green cloth, and the counsel in wig and gown, their official costume, occupy three seats alongside."