News Maidstone Courts Celebrates 40 Years

The Mayor of Maidstone was amongst 250 dignitaries who attended the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the County Courts on Thursday 14 November.

Officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 31 October 1984, the Maidstone Combined Court Centre was relocated from County Hall to the Barker Road site in 1983.

Supported by Maidstone Borough Council, the 40 years celebrations was arranged by the Resident Judge and Honorary Recorder of Maidstone, HHJ Julian Smith and his colleagues at the Courts.

Cllr John Perry, The Mayor of Maidstone said:

It was my great pleasure to be invited to be part of this prestigious event which recognised the work of the Combined Courts here in the County Town of Kent.

The history of law in Maidstone dates back to the first recorded trial in England being held on Penenden Heath in 1076.  By the 1600s Maidstone High Street boasted a town goal, which was a cage for rogues and vagabonds with the original court initially being a wooden structure on stilts situated in what is now Jubilee Square.

The old Court House was replaced by the current Town Hall in 1763 and originally retained an open arcaded ground floor for market traders. The cell was used until 1811 and still shows today graffiti created by prisoners awaiting trial then.

To find out more about the history of Maidstone County Courts please watch a short video produced by MBC here: The Maidstone Courts: A History of Crime & Punishment in Maidstone

The Mayor and Mayoress also attended a special service held at All Saints Church as part of the celebrations that evening.

More details about the local history of Maidstone can be found on the Museum website: www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

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