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Middlesex Guildhall
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{{Short description|Building of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in London}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Use British English|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox building | name = Middlesex Guildhall | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = File:Middlesex Guildhall.png | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = The exterior of Middlesex Guildhall seen from Broad Sanctuary | map_type = | map_alt = | map_dot_label = | map_size = | map_caption = | map_dot_mark = town-hall | relief = | former_names = | alternate_names = | etymology = | status = Complete | cancelled = | topped_out = | building_type = Court | architectural_style = [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic revival]] with Flemish-Burgundian references | classification = | location = | address = [[Parliament Square]]<br />[[City of Westminster]]<br />SW1P 3BD | location_city = London | location_country = England | coordinates = {{coord|51|30|01.5|N|00|07|40.8|W|region:GB_scale:5000|display=inline,title}} | altitude = | current_tenants = *[[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|Supreme Court of the UK]] *[[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] | namesake = | groundbreaking_date = | start_date = 1906 | stop_date = | est_completion = | topped_out_date = | completion_date = | opened_date = {{Start date and age|1913}} | inauguration_date = | relocated_date = | renovation_date = | closing_date = | demolition_date = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice]] | landlord = | affiliation = | height = | architectural = | tip = | antenna_spire = | roof = | top_floor = | observatory = | diameter = | circumference = | weight = | other_dimensions = | structural_system = | material = [[Portland stone]] with [[slate]] roofing | size = | floor_count = | floor_area = | elevator_count = | grounds_area = | architect = [[James Glen Sivewright Gibson]] | architecture_firm = | developer = | engineer = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = [[Henry Charles Fehr]] (Sculptor) | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | known_for = | ren_architect = [[Bernard Feilden|Feilden + Mawson]] supported by [[Foster and Partners]] (2007β2009) | ren_firm = | ren_engineer = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_contractor = | ren_awards = | rooms = | parking = | public_transit = {{rint|london|underground|size=15}} {{stl|London Underground|Westminster}} | website = {{Official website|https://www.supremecourt.uk/about/middlesex-guildhall.html}} | embed = | embedded = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Grade II* Listed Building | designation1_offname = Middlesex Guildhall | designation1_type = | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = 5 February 1970 | delisted1_date = | designation1_partof = | designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1226369|short=y}} }} }} The '''Middlesex Guildhall''' is a historic court building in [[Westminster]] which now houses the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] and the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Court |first=The Supreme |title=Middlesex Guildhall β Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) |url=https://www.jcpc.uk/about/middlesex-guildhall.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.jcpc.uk}}</ref> The building stands on the south-western corner of [[Parliament Square]], near the [[Palace of Westminster]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Court |first=The Supreme |title=How to find the Supreme Court and JCPC β The Supreme Court |url=https://www.supremecourt.uk/visiting/how-to-find-us.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.supremecourt.uk}}</ref> In 1970, the building was listed [[listed building|Grade II*]].<ref name="listed">{{NHLE|num=1226369|desc=Middlesex Guildhall|access-date=17 September 2009}}</ref> Constructed in the early 20th century, the building was designed by Scottish architect [[James Glen Sivewright Gibson|J. S. Gibson]] and sculpted by British artist [[Henry Charles Fehr|Henry Fehr]].<ref name="listed" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Court |first=The Supreme |title=The building β The Supreme Court |url=https://www.supremecourt.uk/visiting/the-building.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.supremecourt.uk}}</ref> The [[guildhall]] is described by [[Historic England]] as [[Gothic Revival architecture|Neo-Gothic]] with Flemish-Burgundian references.<ref name="listed" /> Initially serving as an [[administrative centre]] for [[Middlesex County Council]] and as a [[court of quarter sessions|court of quarter session]], it has undergone several iterations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Court |first=The Supreme |title=Centenary of Middlesex Guildhall β The Supreme Court |url=https://www.supremecourt.uk/about/middlesex-guildhall.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.supremecourt.uk}}</ref> The building later served as a [[Crown Court]] centre, until the establishment of the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|Supreme Court]] in the early 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Court |first=The Supreme |title=History β The Supreme Court |url=https://www.supremecourt.uk/about/history.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.supremecourt.uk}}</ref> ==History== [[File:London, The Supreme Court -- 2016 -- 4814.jpg|thumb|upright|Detail of the faΓ§ade|left]] The site on the south-western corner of Parliament Square was originally the [[Belfry (architecture)|belfry]] of [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Eiland |first=Murray |date=2012 |title=Postcard from the Supreme Court, London |url=https://www.academia.edu/8013370 |journal=The Armiger's News |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=2β4 |via=academia.edu}}</ref> The first [[guildhall]], designed as an octagon with a Doric portico by [[Samuel Pepys Cockerell]], was built for the justices of the [[City and Liberty of Westminster]] and opened as the "Westminster Sessions House" or "Westminster Guildhall" in 1805.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://collections.soane.org/ARC8433 |title=Sessions House |publisher=Sir John Soane's Museum |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> In 1889 Westminster became part of the [[County of London]], outside of the jurisdiction of the county of [[Middlesex]]. In the division of property between the [[Middlesex County Council|Middlesex]] and [[London County Council|London]] county councils, the guildhall at Westminster went to Middlesex in exchange for the [[Middlesex Sessions House|Sessions House]] in Clerkenwell which went to London. In addition to being a facility for dispensing justice, following the implementation of the [[Local Government Act 1888]], which established county councils in every county, the Guildhall also became the administrative headquarters and meeting place for [[Middlesex County Council]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/51-52/41/enacted |title=Local Government Act 1888 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=17 August 2019}}</ref> Middlesex county leaders decided, in the context of their increased responsibilities, that the first Guildhall was inadequate for their purposes, and a second Guildhall, designed by [[F. H. Pownall]] in the neo-Tudor style, was constructed on the site in 1893.<ref name="Middlesex Robbins">{{cite book |series=A New Survey of England |title=Middlesex |author=Robbins, Michael |year=1953 |publisher=Collins}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archiseek.com/2009/1892-guildhall-westminster-london/ |title=1892 β Guildhall, Westminster, London |date=23 July 2009 |publisher=Archiseek |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> After the county leaders found that the second Guildhall was actually too small, the current and third Guildhall, designed by [[James Glen Sivewright Gibson|J. S. Gibson]], was built between 1906 and 1913.<ref name="listed" /> The architectural historian, [[Nikolaus Pevsner]], described the design as "art nouveau gothic style".<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LNwYAAAAYAAJ |title= London: The cities of London and Westminster (Buildings of England Series)|first1= Nikolaus|last1= Pevsner|first2=Bridget|last2= Cherry|year=1973 |page=513|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0140710120}}</ref> The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of nine bays facing Parliament Square; the central section of three bays which slightly projected forwards, featured an ornate arched doorway with a segmental arched window spanning the first and second floors and a tower above.<ref name="listed" /> A 17th century door, which had originally been part of the [[Tothill Fields Bridewell]] prison, was installed in the basement of the building.<ref name="listed" /> The building was decorated with medieval-style gargoyles and other architectural sculptures by [[Henry Charles Fehr]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/fehr/3.html |title=Architectural Sculpture at the Middlesex Guildhall |publisher=Victorian Web |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> Following the implementation of the [[London Government Act 1963]], Middlesex County Council and the Middlesex sessions were abolished in 1965, but the Guildhall continued to be used by the Greater London [[Quarter Sessions]]. After the abolition of the Quarter Sessions in 1972, it was used as a venue of the [[Crown Court]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kensingtonsociety.org/portfolio-item/visit-to-the-supreme-court/ |title=A visit to Britain's newest and highest court β the Supreme Court |publisher=The Kensington Society |date=9 May 2019 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> The Guildhall ceased to be operate as a Crown Court following the completion of new courthouses in London such as [[Harrow Crown Court]], [[Isleworth Crown Court]] and [[One Hans Crescent|Knightsbridge Crown Court]] in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1996-01-26/debates/24326606-27f4-4596-af08-e5c5019ec7e6/CapitalBuildingProgramme|title=Capital Building Programme|date=26 January 1996|publisher=Hansard|access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> The Middlesex Guildhall was closed for refurbishment in 2007 to convert it for use as the site of the new [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] and the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]]. The Supreme Court, established in law by the [[Constitutional Reform Act 2005]], started operations on 1 October 2009.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2009/07/from-house-of-lords-to-supreme-court/ |title=From House of Lords to Supreme Court |publisher=UK Parliament |date=23 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013192241/https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2009/07/from-house-of-lords-to-supreme-court/ |access-date=19 August 2019 |archive-date=13 October 2010}}</ref> ==Controversy over conversion== [[File:Supreme Court of the United Kingdom - Library - 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Justices' library in the Supreme Court building]] After the government chose the Middlesex Guildhall as home for the new Supreme Court, it was realised that a great deal of work was required to renovate the building and adapt it to the new use. Renovation plans were developed by architects Feilden+Mawson LLP, supported by Foster & Partners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dca.gov.uk/supreme/index.htm |publisher=Department for Constitutional Affairs |title=Constitutional Reform |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008003815/http://www.dca.gov.uk/supreme/index.htm |access-date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=8 October 2010}}</ref> Conservation groups opposed the planned conversion which involved the destruction of the original interiors of an important historic building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/news/The-Supreme-Court-and-the-Middlesex-Guildhall-the-real-story|title=The Supreme Court and the Middlesex Guildhall - the real story|date=14 October 2009|website=SAVE Britain's Heritage}}</ref> The Middlesex Guildhall is a Grade II* [[listed building]], and the statement of importance by [[English Heritage]] classed the three main Court interiors as "unsurpassed by any other courtroom of the period in terms of the quality and completeness of their fittings" on 26 August 2004. The conversion works eventually involved the loss of many of the original fixtures and fittings. [[Save Britain's Heritage]] unsuccessfully contested the conversion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/item/99/The-Supreme-Court-and-the-Middlesex-Guildhall-the-real-story |title=The Supreme Court and the Middlesex Guildhall β the real story |publisher=Save Britain's Heritage |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6143744.stm |date=7 March 2007 |title=Grand designs |publisher=BBC |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> As part of the refurbishment, new carpets designed by [[Peter Blake (artist)|Sir Peter Blake]], featuring a reinterpretation of the Supreme Court's official badge, were laid in the building.<ref>{{cite web |title=In pictures: UK Supreme Court |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8151625.stm |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=7 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718131005/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8151625.stm |archive-date=18 July 2009 |date=15 July 2009}}</ref> ==See also== *[[Guild]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== *''The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom: History, Art, Architecture'' Chris Miele ed. (Merrell) {{ISBN|978-1-85894-508-8}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Middlesex Guildhall}} *[https://www.supremecourt.uk/about/middlesex-guildhall.html Middlesex Guildhall profile] from the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom's official website *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8151625.stm In pictures: UK Supreme Court] {{Supreme Court of the United Kingdom}} {{Parliament Square}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Art Nouveau architecture in London]] [[Category:Art Nouveau government buildings]] [[Category:Government buildings completed in 1913]] [[Category:County halls in England]] [[Category:Court buildings in London]] [[Category:Edwardian architecture in London]] [[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the City of Westminster]] [[Category:History of local government in Middlesex|Guildhall]] [[Category:Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] [[Category:Legal buildings in London]] [[Category:Local government buildings in London]] [[Category:National government buildings in London]] [[Category:Parliament Square]] [[Category:Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Works by James Glen Sivewright Gibson]] [[Category:1913 establishments in England]] [[Category:National supreme court buildings]]
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