Magistrates gather in Birmingham to sample city's historic courts

Nov 20 2009 by Kat Keogh, Birmingham Mail

HUNDREDS of legal eagles gathered at one of Birmingham’s architectural gems for their annual meeting.

More than 200 magistrates paid a visit to the city for the annual meeting of the Magistrates’ Association at Birmingham Town Hall.

The event – organised by the Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield association branch – included a reception at the city’s Victoria Law Courts, which dates from 1891.

Guests also marked the 100th anniversary of youth justice, which established courts for juveniles, with a re-enactment of a youth case from 1914. Lord Mayor of Birmingham Coun Michael Wilkes was also on hand to unveil a plaque outside court three, where the first dedicated Youth Court sat in 1905.