The spaces of justice: the architecture of the Scottish court

This text looks at the architecture of the courts in Scotland and the importance of these civic spaces.

Given the importance of courts to the legal experience it starts by exploring why scholars have been so reticent in examining spaces in which the administration of justice takes place.

It notes the major changes already unfolding in Scotland and puts these into a historical and cultural context.

The authors trace the emergence of the notion of the dedicated courtroom space in 19th century Scotland and the ways in which the courtroom setting affected the exercise of power through law.

They show what factors led to the adoption of different architectural styles.

They examine the changes in the legal, political and social world which drove such changes and how these changed in the 20th and 21st centuries.