EDITED BY DAVID ADLER

METRIC
HANDBOOK
PLANNlNG
AND
DESIGN
DATA
SECOND EDITION Architectural
Press
12 Law courts
Christopher Rainford
Christopher Rainford is the senior partner of Napper Architects, a practice
considerably involved in the design of court buildings
KEYPOINTS:
the need for security against attacks from people both inside
and outside the complex, while ensuring full access to those
entitled makes design increasingly difficult.
Contents
1 Introduction
2 The court system
3 The courtroom
4 The courtroom environment
5 Outside the courtroom
1 INTRODUCTION
1.01
The judicial system of England and Wales is in direct line of
descent from that established by William I nearly a thousand years
ago, subsequently modified by Magna Carta and many other
reforms. Courthouses, therefore, are the visible manifestation of
one of the most fundamental set of principles upon which our
society is based.
How this is to be expressed in architectural terms is the
particular challenge facing the designer of a courthouse. He or she
will have to consider the contextual and environmental constraints
that apply to any urban structure, especially those on prominent
sites in town centres. Planning problems posed by the specific
requirements for a courthouse must also be addressed, such as the
four segregated circulation routes (for judge, jury, defendant in
custody and public), the servicing of the many and varied spaces
within a complex layout and the need for flexibility to accom-
modate future developments in information technology. Athough
courtrooms built 200 years ago are still able to cope, the law is
constantly evolving and both the courtrooms and the ancillaries
need to be receptive to inevitable change.
2 THE COURT SYSTEM
2.01
The Court Service (formerly the Lord Chancellors Department)
has existed in various forms for over 900 years. It took on its
present shape as a major government department with wide
responsibilities for the administration of justice in England and
Wales in 1972. Following the Courts Act 1971 it was given the
task of running a new system covering all courts above the level of
Magistrates Courts. It is directly responsible for
The Court of Appeal
The Royal Courts of Justice
The High Court
The Crown Court
The County Court.
The Crown Court is a national court which sits at different centres.
Practically all its work is concerned with cases committed for trial
or sentence from the Magistrates Courts, or appeals against their
decisions. Cases for trial are heard before a judge and jury. Centres
CI/Sfb: 317
UDC: 725.15
are classified as first, second or third tier according to the nature
and complexity of the court business.
3 THE COURTROOM
3.01
The Crown Court sits in a courtroom, the design of which will
always be subject to the continuous adjustments dictated by changes
in attitudes to child witnesses, the need to protect witnesses and
jurors from possible intimidation and developments in technology.
3.02
The courtroom is the primary workspace and focal point in a
courthouse, which is developed around it. It is the only place where
all parties in a case are likely to meet. Of paramount importance is
the need to segregate judge, jury, defendant and others in the
courtroom and within the courthouse. Segregated circulation routes
are provided so that the judge, jury and defendants (if in custody)
make their way to the courtroom without meeting each other or any
other users such as members of the public.
3.03
Dedicated entrances are provided for:
Judge
Defendants
Jury
Public, witnesses
in custody
and defendants on bail.
Some prosecution witnesses have to be protected from intimidation;
a separate secure waiting room for them is often situated with its
entrance off the vestibule provided between the public entrance and
the courtroom itself. An alternative arrangement has a separate
access from the secure waiting area into the courtroom adjacent to
the witness box.
The public enter the court behind or to the side of the public
seating at the rear of the courtroom; neither public nor witnesses
pass areas dedicated to other participants (e.g. jury or defendants in
custody) on entering or leaving the courtroom.
3.04 Relationships within the courtroom
Courtroom layout incorporates specific and well-defined relation-
ships between the various participants by means of carefully
arranged sight-lines, distances and levels. There are four main
elements in Crown Court cases:
Judge
Jury
Witness
Counsel (barristers and solicitors).
Defendants do not take part except as witnesses. Each element
must be closely related, and be able to see and hear each other
clearly at all times without mechanical or electrical aids, and
without excessive turning from side to side. The basic positioning
of the occupants is shown in 12.1. The theory behind these
relationships can be summarised as follows:
12-1
12-2 Law courts
judge
M M
clerk
M M
M M
jury entrance jury
M lawyers
dock
entrance
12.1 Standard Crown Courtroom
3.05 The judge
Presides over the courtroom, should be able to observe the whole
of it, to see clearly the principal participants as well as the
defendant in the dock and, when called, the antecedents and
probation officers.
3.06 The court clerk
Administers the case and needs to keep a watching eye over the
court. He or she often advises the judge and should be able to stand
up and speak to the judge without being overheard.
3.07 The exhibit table
This is in front of the counsel benches for the display of exhibits
put forward for evidence.
3.08 Counsel
These are barristers and solicitors who represent the defendant or
prosecution. They need to be able to see the jury, judge and witness
to whom they address their remarks. The barrister at each end of
the front bench should be able to keep every jury member and the
witness on the stand within about a 90 angle to obviate too much
turning to ensure that the judge, the other main party, shall have at
least a part face view. The counsel benches are wide enough to
hold the large, and numerous, documents and books that are often
in use.
3.09 The defendant
The defendant is assumed to be innocent until proved guilty and
current practice is to reduce any prison-like appearance of the dock
by lowering the barriers enclosing it as much as possible
judges' entrance
retained witnesses
probation, press,
ledge
ramp
witness box
(witness faces jury)
public
main
dock entrance
(public, witnesses
lawyers etc)
compatible with security. Defendants sit in separate fixed seats and
if they are thought to be a security risk a prison officer will sit on
a seat immediately behind, or at each side of him. The dock is
controlled by a dock officer and situated at the back of the
courtroom.
3.10 The jury
This comprises twelve members of the public whose duty it is to
reach a verdict based on the evidence presented. The jury sit
opposite the witness stand and must be able to see the defendant in
the dock, as well as the judge and counsel. They must have a
writing surface and a place to put documents.
3.11 The witness
The witness waits outside the courtroom; and when called gives
evidence from the witness stand near to the judges bench. The
stand faces the jury who must be able to observe the his or her
face. The witness is questioned by the barristers and occasionally
by the judge.
If the judge directs that a witness should be retained, he or she
can wait seated within the courtroom.
3.12 The shorthand writer
This official keeps a transcript of the trial and consequently must
be able to see and hear everyone who speaks.
3.13 Probation and antecedents officers
These give evidence from their seats after the jury have reached a
verdict. This evidence is used to assist the judge in passing
sentence.
 Law courts 12-3

3.14 The press air flow by the natural stack effect. It is normally more economical
These are not party to the proceedings, but they should be able to and energy-efficient to have separate air handling units for each
see the participants. courtroom, managed by time switches and occupancy sensors.

3.15 The public 4.04 Lighting

These are in court to see that justice is done. They are placed at
the near end of the courtroom and have a general view of the
proceedings, but with the minimum possible direct eye contact
with the jury to reduce the risk of intimidation. A public gallery
over the jurors is the most effective method of eliminating possible
intimidation; but access to such a gallery and the increase in height
of the courtroom has to be considered. The glass screen between
the public and the dock is partially obscured to prevent members
of the public from seeing the defendants(s) (and vice versa) while
seated.
4 THE COURTROOM ENVIRONMENT
4.01
The design of Crown courtrooms should seek perfection for their
purpose. It should reflect the quiet dignity of the law rather than its
power. A well-detailed, comfortable and quiet courtroom with
efficient and simply managed ventilation, lighting and acoustics is
the ideal.
4.02 Ventilation
Well-balanced environmental conditions within the courtroom are
essential to the smooth running of the court. They keep the
participants comfortable and interested, and avoid distractions.
The current trend, supported by most users, is for natural
ventilation with openable windows. This will subject the court-
room to wider temperature fluctuations; but this can be minimised
by integrated automatic control systems.
4.03
Mechanical assistance (or in extreme cases full air conditioning)
will be necessary where there would be unacceptable noise
intrusion; or where the courtroom cannot have the height to induce
Daylight is provided if possible; but direct sunlight must be
controlled and security risks avoided. The controlled use of
daylight alone improves environmental comfort, but when it
becomes for any reason insufficient, artificial lighting will be
required. A combination of up-lighters and down-lighters reduces
glare and contrast, and enhances the character of the courtroom.
Lighting levels and colour should ensure correct colour rendering,
and that all participants, exhibits and written evidence can be
clearly seen without strain or dazzle.
4.05 Acoustics
The acoustics and noise levels should ensure that the proceedings
can be heard in all parts of the courtroom; while avoiding
distraction and annoyance from movement by the public, press or
others. There may be a need for reflective or absorbent surface
treatment to walls and ceilings.
5 OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM
5.01 Functional relationships
Courthouse accommodation is divided into areas, each with its
own self-contained circulation. Movement between areas is
limited and restricted. Even those who need to move freely can
only enter certain restricted areas by passing through manned
control points or other secure doors. The relationship and pattern
of movement between the elements is shown in the functional
relationship diagram 12.2.
5.02 Judiciary
The judiciary (judges, recorders, etc.) arrive at the court building
and enter through a manned or otherwise restricted entry directly
into their own secure area of the building. This contains the
Judges Retiring Rooms and all areas devoted to judicial use.

judiciary
dining

restricted judiciary jury

jury catering
car park dining

vehicle
advocate
lock dining

public
dining
crown
custody courtroom

court waiting
area

crown public/
court common advocates
office services

circulation
judiciary
non court jury & potential jurors
service main custody
staff entrance court service staff
public
advocates
catering

12.2 Functional relationship diagram for a Courthouse

12-4 Law courts
The only other users of this area in working hours are the staff,
i.e. ushers, court clerks, security staff and invitees, i.e. legal
representatives, guests and some members of the public invited to
a Judges Room. Invitees will always be escorted, and access for
all will be either via the Judges entrance into court or through staff
areas. Each entrance will be via a self-locking, secure door.
5.03 Jurors
Persons, the number depending on the number and size of trials
programmed, are summoned to the court building. They enter
through the main public areas until they reach the reception area to
the Jury Assembly Suite where they are booked in.
They then wait in the lounge or dining area where refreshments
are available until called upon to form a jury panel. The period of
waiting is variable and can be all day. Highest usage is before
courts sit, and during lunch periods.
Egress from the Assembly Area, other than back past reception,
is into jury-restricted circulation, which leads to Court and Jury
Retiring Rooms. These should be adjacent or close to related Court
Rooms, and all capable of supervision by one jury bailiff.
Once jurors have entered the Jury Assembly Suite they remain
there, in court, or the Jury Retiring Room until sent home at the
end of the day, or on dismissal.
5.04 Defendants
The Custody area is a self-contained compartment within the court
building designated for the temporary use of prison governors in
the discharge of their duties to the court to produce and retain
prisoners in custody. It consists of the following principal parts,
each separate from its neighbour and all non-custody uses:
The custody core
The
The vehicle entrance
The visitors entrance
Three independententrance
courtroom
custody core to vehicle
secure connecting routes:
dock
custody core to courtroom entrance
custody core to visitors entrance.
While courts are sitting, the custody area is staffed and administered
by prison officers. A principal or senior officer is in charge,
supported by number of officers according to the number of courts
and the level of risk. Some officers have fixed duties, for instance
dock officer, cells officer; but the remainder are on escort duties.
Custody areas are designed and constructed to contain defend-
ants, and to produce them to the court. Containment requires the
meticulous and consistent application of passive security meas-
ures. Confinement and attendance at court for defendants is
stressful, and this is compounded by natural frustration and
anxiety.
The designer must:
Give careful attention to all aspects of the design from the
overall plan and its approaches, down to fixtures, fittings,
fixings, finishes, alarms and communications
Devise a layout that will achieve maximum control, make the
best use of staff resources and maintain an acceptable level of
safety and security
Use the building fabric and the facilities within it to provide a
secure envelope
Deny the public direct view or contact with defendants while
they are inside the custody area, except during authorised
visits.
5.05 Public
The public areas with their associated circulation form the central
core or axis from which most non- judicial functions of the court
building radiate.
Except for the judiciary and specified car park users, all users
enter the building by the main entrance door where space and
facilities for security checks are provided. The arrival concourse
contains the Information/Enquiry Point and the Cause List
Display, both of which should be clearly seen on entering.
Public circulation then leads to Court Waiting Areas. These may
be combined with associated circulation to form concourses off
which are located the courtrooms and consultation/waiting rooms.
Waiting areas should be visually interesting, preferably with
external views.
Public circulation also gives access to private and semi-private
accommodation occupied by Court Service (CS) staff, non-CS
staff, the Probation Service, Custody Visits and to refreshment
facilities. Access must also be available to the Crown Court Office
counters. Direct access from the arrivals concourse to the Jury
Assembly Area is desirable.
5.06 Advocates
Advocates enter the court building by the Main Entrance, reaching
their suite via the public circulation. This is the area reserved for
solicitors and barristers preparing for court, combining Lounge/
Study/Retiring Room for relaxation and quiet study in comfortable
conditions, and for assembly, discussion, robing, etc. Lounge and
Robing Room should if possible be contiguous otherwise direct
access should be provided.
The suite has easy access to courtrooms via the public concourse
where advocates meet clients, and to the Advocates Dining Room.
The Advocates Clerks room is closely related and shares the
same private Advocates circulation.
5.07 Crown Court Office
The Crown Court Office is occupied by executive and admin-
istrative staff engaged in the general administration of Crown
Court business.
The General Office counter must be conveniently located to
allow easy access for the public and for the legal profession;
payment of expenses to jurors and witnesses may be made here.
There should be separate circulation to other staff areas and for
direct access to the judges restricted circulation by ushers. Within
the Crown Court offices, accommodation is provided for some
more specialised groups:
courtrooms
Court Clerks who are responsible for business in specific
and who spend part of their day in court
to judge and/or jury but will also do minor clerical work
Ushers who spend part of their time in court and also attending
programming
Listing Staff who are responsible for the planning and
of the court timetable (lists of cases).
5.08 Non-courts Service Users
Non-courts Service Users includes Police, Crown Prosecution
Service, Probation Service and Shorthand Writers, concerned with
the running of the Court.
The Police area consists of two sections:
The Police Liaison Unit. This is the suite of offices for police staff
attached to the courts and providing antecedents, etc. Included is a
room where police witnesses can assemble and change if
necessary.
The Police Law and Order Unit. This suite of offices is for police
who maintain security or Law and Order in the building
(currently under review).
The Crown Prosecuting Service is responsible for the prosecution
of defendants in court. It needs an office for law clerks to perform
casework arising during the progress of the case, and to consult
with members of the legal profession and witnesses.

The Probation Service, as attached to a Crown Court, will be
active where persons have been made subjects of probation orders
or inquiry reports at Court, although they may do some paperwork
on other cases. The Probation Suite is a separate individual unit
and where Night Reporting Facilities are required, must be able to
operate in isolation while full security to the remainder of the court
Building is maintained.
Shorthand writers are usually hired directly or via a service firm to
take notes and transcribe Court proceedings.
Law courts 12-5
5.09 Catering
Catering within Crown Courts involves self-service facilities for
advocates, jurors, public and court staff, together with waitress
service from a sideboard or servery for the Judiciary. The catering
area should be sited on one floor with easy access for all court
users, maximising usage and minimising operating costs. Multi-
level catering areas should be avoided as less convenient and more
expensive to operate.
METRIC HANDBOOK
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