Old Bailey

English

The building of the Central Criminal Court (sense 2)

Etymology

Originally "The Bailey", a street running outside the western wall of medieval London; from the word bailey, a Middle English term for the outermost wall or court of a fortification. The courthouse built nearby in the 16th century, alongside old Newgate Prison, took its name from the street.

Proper noun

the Old Bailey

1. A street in the City between Holborn Circus and St Paul's Cathedral.
2. The Central Criminal Court in this street; the Crown Court in the City of London.
3. (by extension) The English legal system.