York and Selby Magistrates’ Court is a

Grade II listed In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

building on Clifford Street, York.

History and architecture

The foundation stone for the new Courts of Justice was laid on 16 July 1890 by

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (Albert Victor Christian Edward; 8 January 1864 – 14 January 1892) was the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) and grandson of the re ...

. The Magistrates’ Court was built between 1890 and 1892 to the designs of the architects Huon Arthur Matear and

Henry Bloomfield Bare Henry Bloomfield Bare (1848–1912) was an architect based in Liverpool, England. Family He was born on 21 January 1848 in Hungerford, Berkshire, the son of Thomas Bare (1805–1891) and Harriet Meggs (1815–1881). He married Clari Sharples (185 ...

. The quantity surveyor was Charles Wise of Liverpool and the contract for construction was let to Parker and Sharpe of York. The cost of construction was £17,050 (). They were opened on 19 October 1892 by the

Lord Mayor of York The Lord Mayor of York is the chairman of City of York Council, first citizen and civic head of York. The appointment is made by the council each year in May, at the same time appointing a sheriff, the city's other civic head. York's lord mayor ...

, John Close who unveiled a bust of the late Duke of Clarence which had been sculpted by

Francis John Williamson Francis John Williamson (17 July 1833 – 12 March 1920) was a British portrait sculptor, reputed to have been Queen Victoria's favourite. Career After studying under John Bell he was an articled pupil of John Henry Foley for seven years, a ...

. The style of the building was a free treatment of Gothic architecture with the main entrance on Clifford Street and a projecting bay at each end carried up to octagonal turrets enriched with carved stonework at a greater height that the remainder of the facade. In the apex of the pediment is carved the arms of the city of York and above them a figure of Justice holding the scales. Behind is a clock tower.

References

{{Reflist Grade II listed buildings in York Buildings and structures completed in 1892 Magistrates' courts in England and Wales