Chichester Magistrates & Crown Courts
Whilst urbexing down south for the best part of our weekend, me and prettyvacant decided to take a look at these two court houses in Chichester. Previously prettyvacant managed to gain access to the crown court on the last occasion. After confirming that it was still doable we went and tried the magistrates. Luckily it wasn't long until we found ourselves inside there as well.
The two court houses are located in close proximity to each other with a small stretch of residential properties being the only thing separating them.
The map I have created above shows the basic layout of the site.
Whilst urbexing down south for the best part of our weekend, me and prettyvacant decided to take a look at these two court houses in Chichester. Previously prettyvacant managed to gain access to the crown court on the last occasion. After confirming that it was still doable we went and tried the magistrates. Luckily it wasn't long until we found ourselves inside there as well.
The two court houses are located in close proximity to each other with a small stretch of residential properties being the only thing separating them.
The map I have created above shows the basic layout of the site.
brief history on both courts
The first building out of the two to be constructed was the crown court. Which was built in 1940 and designed by the architect C.G. Stillman from West Sussex. To this day the building is locally listed because of its Art Deco design, symmetrical values and by the way it has been proportioned from the south front side looking onto the high street.
Because of the buildings Dudok/Swedish lack of ornamental influence, it was declared a rare build outside of London at its time.
The courthouse operated for seventy eight years until in 2016 its closure was announced. Come December 21st 2018 the house was declared permanently closed.
Quite some time after the crown court was completed, the decision was made to build a magistrates. With only a small range of residential and commercial properties separating them the proposed site of the magistrates court was given the green light for construction. Therefore the two courthouses are now located just across the way from each other.
Although this building is more modern than the crown court it has still been registered as locally listed. The reasoning for the listing of the magistrates is because of how well it was proportioned and the way in which it corresponds with its surroundings both visually and spatially. Although the building isn't praised for its decor, once roaming the building yourself and experiencing the way in which it has been designed and erected in such a compact space, makes its reasoning for listing understandable.
The magistrates courthouse closed its doors in August 2016, two and a half years before the crown court. This is because of the (HCMSCERP) Her Majesty's Courts Services Court Estate Reform Programme and (HMCTSERP) Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service's Estates Reform Project. Which insisted that one hundred and three magistrates courts and fifty four county courts are to be closed. Thus having Chichester Magistrates Court on its list.
This also effected the Chichester Crown Court because of its tribunal centre.
Magistrates Court
External view
Site map
This is the main lobby/waiting area with quite a long, intimidating walk from the front door to the reception desk.
A lot of files were left behind to my surprise. Most cabinets were filled to the brim with paperwork.
The retiring room
This is where you go to pay your fines. View from the wrong side of the glass.
Sadly all power was cut in the main court room
The other two court rooms were very basic and looked a lot less intimidating. These were used for juvenile cases.
Now going into the cell block located underneath court room one
Office room running adjacent to the cells
Staff canteen located up stairs above the lobby
and finally the staff staircase
more to follow...
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