The gavel is possibly one of the most iconic items associated with the courtroom. However, in the UK a gavel has never been used in Criminal Courts to get order in the courtroom. Why is this?
UK courts rely on carrying tradition through their proceedings and this is where the gavel has never held a traditional place in UK court proceedings. In UK courts, judges ensure that they have order in their courtrooms through verbal commands.
Even though there has never been a gavel used in UK courts, there have been reports that the gavel may be making its way to UK courts.
However, one courtroom in the UK does use a gavel but not in the way that you would think. In the Inner London Crown Court, there is a gavel. They use it to signify to the court that the judge is entering the courtroom.
This might be a bit of a far-fetched use of a gavel when compared to its uses across the water.
Comments