The government is pinning its hopes on the Courts and Tribunals Bill to make a permanent dent in the Crown court backlog. But while MPs clashed over the plans to restrict jury trials during the public bill committee stage, which ended this week, they all agreed on one thing: there is only one ‘Central Criminal Court’. The Old Bailey, of course.

Except it’s not as simple as that. MPs heard that when the Salisbury Square courts complex in Fleet Street opens next year, by law it will share the designation Central Criminal Court. The statutory title, which dates back to 1834, applies to the Crown court sitting within the City of London. 

Statue of Justice, Old Bailey

There is only one ‘Central Criminal Court’: the Old Bailey

Source: iStock

‘That would cause operational confusion for court users and practitioners,’ courts minister Sarah Sackman told the committee.

Courts and Tribunals Bill to the rescue. Clause 20 of the bill, ‘Special provision when Crown court sits in the City of London’, would ensure the Old Bailey holds exclusive rights to the title. Shadow minister Kieran Mullan agreed, noting that many people are familiar with the Old Bailey, which is also a tourist draw. ‘It is a fundamental principle of good lawmaking that technical clauses should be explained clearly to the committee so that their practical effect is well understood. I thank the minister for doing that today,’ Mullan said.

‘There is only one Old Bailey, and as a result of clause 20, there will only ever be one Old Bailey,’ Sackman replied. 

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