City Civil & Sessions Court, Mumbai

ABOUT DISTRICT COURT

In 1728, under a Royal Charter, the Court of Oyer and Terminer and Jail (Gaol) delivery, came to be established in Bombay. The Court was composed of the Governor and some members of his Council, who as justices of the Peace, had jurisdiction to try all offences except high treason.

In 1798, the Recorder's Court with powers to exercise Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction, was created. In 1824, the Recorder's Court was replaced by the Supreme Court with jurisdiction confined to the town and island of Bombay. At about the same time, Diwani Adalat and Sudder Fozdari Adalat were established having superior Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction respectively over the other territories in the Presidency of Bombay. In 1861, the Indian High Courts Act passed by the British Parliament, the Supreme Court and Diwani and Fozdari Adalats, were abolished and on 26th June, 1862, letters patent were issued, establishing the High Court at Bombay.

The Old Secretariat Building (In which City Civil And Sessions Court is housed) was designed and built by architect Col.Henry St. Clair Wilkins and planner Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere during 1865-74 . It is described as a building in the Venetian Gothic style. The Old Secretariat is[...]