Bradford Combined Court Open Day

About this event

The Bradford Combined Court will be opening its doors to the public for the second time on Saturday 10th May 2025 with a packed programme of events running throughout the day. This event is as a result of the highly anticipated success of the open day in 2023.

Bradford Combined Court is inviting the public to visit this summer in a bid to demystify the inner workings of the legal profession and the Courts. For many, attending Court is likely to be an unusual and intimidating experience, whether this is as a witness, defendant, party or juror. The team at Bradford Combined Court are setting out to make that a thing of the past with an open day on Saturday 10th May 2025.

The day’s events will run from 10.00-16.00 and are set to include tours of the building, including Courtrooms and cells, mock trials and displays from the wide range of organisations which make up the justice system in West Yorkshire. The open day will also be supported by West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Police Museum, providing insight into policing now and throughout history. Many of the agencies supporting, assisting and advising members of the public who have cause to use the Courts will also be on hand to discuss their work, including the Probation Service, drug and alcohol agencies and those involved with issues of domestic violence and children affected by the Law.

Bradford Combined Court Centre is in Exchange Square, behind the Great Victoria Hotel. It serves not only the community of Bradford but also Keighley, Skipton, Ilkley, Bingley and Halifax. The building houses the Crown Court, Family Court, County Court and on occasions the Coroners Court. Visitors interested in all these areas of law will be able to find something to do on Saturday 10th May with mock trials in Crime, Family and Civil law taking place. Senior members of the judiciary will be available to be asked the burning questions you’ve always wanted to know from ‘Why do you wear wigs?’ to ‘How does it feel to make life changing decisions?’ Information stands and staff from support services will be available throughout the day to speak with attendees about the roles they play in the Court. West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Police Museum will be providing vehicles, equipment demonstrations and interactive displays throughout the day.

The team behind the event come from across the legal community of Bradford and hope to cement the Court as a part of the wider community. The Honorary Recorder of Bradford His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose comments:

‘The people of Bradford and the surrounding areas may interact with the Law in a range of ways from contesting a speeding ticket to finalising an adoption. It is important that the community we serve feels a level of ownership and engagement in the way the law is applied in Bradford however they may come to be in one of our courtrooms.’

The day hopes to remove some of the apprehension and misconceptions that surround the legal process and dispel any myths popularised in television and film. It is also hoped that the event will promote the Law as a career option open to everyone, including the opportunity for visitors to meet barristers, judges, solicitors, probation staff, support workers and the police.

Further details of the programme of events will be released prior to 10th May, people interested in attending are asked to refer to local news outlets for further information and to not call the Court Centre.