Civil courts were originally part of the Assizes from the Middle Ages onwards, but to seek a remedy at these courts for a debt was a costly and time-consuming process. By the 16th century other more immediate forms of redress were being found via local Courts of Requests and this ad hoc system continued until the 19th century when it was replaced by the modern County Court. Another necessity was to have Coroner’s Courts to assess how someone died.

This document describes the development of buildings associated with these two strands of law, from adapting existing structures to creating purpose-built courts.