Civic buildings tend to go one of two ways- boring and boxy, or ornate and elaborate. Thankfully for me, the Manitoba Law Courts run to ornate and elaborate! While our Doors Open Winnipeg 2019 started with a visit to the beautiful Bank of Montreal building at Portage and Main, it finished with the Manitoba Law Courts. The Law Courts are a gorgeous complex of buildings in historic downtown Winnipeg, and I wanted to take the opportunity to visit when I could. So, without any further adieu, the Manitoba Law Courts!
I’ve really got to thank Heritage Winnipeg for organising Doors Open Winnipeg every year! There are a lot of truly beautiful and fascinating buildings and sites here in Winnipeg, and I don’t think that they get the love that they deserve. Doors Open seems to be growing every year, and it is wonderful to see locals and visitors getting out and enjoying our fair city. And that includes the Manitoba Law Courts!
There are actually three buildings that make up the Manitoba Law Courts. They are the Old Law Courts Building, the New Law Courts Building, and the Old Winnipeg Land Titles Building. If you visit during Doors Open Winnipeg, you will spend most of the tour in the Old Law Courts Building (which is the beautiful part). You do have to pop around the back of the complex (the north side) to enter, but you quickly move into the Old building. The Old building was built from 1912 to 1916, and was built of Manitoba Limestone. Built at the same time as the Legislative Building, it was caught up in the building and theft scandals that saw contractor Thomas Kelly jailed for overcharging the government. (Ironic, given that it is the law courts……)
The Old Law Courts Building
As we learned on our tour, most trials don’t actually happen in the Old Law Courts building. It turns out that most take place in boring, conference room-type places and not what we see on TV. (I mean, it’s probably for the best that your legal proceedings don’t include a jury and the media?) However, we did get to see the old, historic courtrooms, which is really what everyone goes for. (And no, in Canada, Queen’s Counsel lawyers do not wear wigs.)
Even the hallways give you pause in the Old Law Courts Building. I can only guess that the architecture is meant to force you to ponder what it is you have done (or potentially done), but there really is a feeling of grandeur. I don’t know if many other people care, but I love the detailing on the ceiling. A lot of crown moulding is boring white, but we’ve got green, red, and gold to keep it interesting. The longer hallways are also lined with full-length portraits of past Manitoba Justices. The full force and weight of the law is apparent in every aspect of this building.
Courtroom 210
You may ask why I’m singling out Courtroom 210. Well, Courtroom 210 is the courtroom that we all picture. It is one of the largest marble courtrooms in North America, and has been used in several movies and TV shows, as well as high profile cases here in Manitoba. (Apparently Rob Lowe shot a film in there!) It is hard to get a good picture of it- you can’t have anyone else in the photo, so my photos are sadly only the upper half. However, the ceiling is absolutely stunning. The stained glass windows in the ceiling, the high ceilings, the crown moulding, it is impressive to say the least. (You will also notice the Manitoba Coat of Arms up there.)
Fun fact: when you go in Courtroom 210 for your Doors Open Winnipeg tour, you can sit anywhere you want while they explain things. So, yes, we sat in the jury box, because why not?! I can rather understand why most trials take place in smaller courtrooms, as it would be rather overwhelming here. However, my favourite part of the courtroom is the simple mural behind the judge’s bench, reminding them of Truth, Justice, and Mercy. Although, I don’t know that the little alcove actually serves a real function, it adds to the classical feeling.
The Law Library
Obviously this book nerd was excited to visit the library…. The Law Library (aka the Great Library) at the Law Courts is the second largest law library in the province of Manitoba. (The largest is at the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba.) It isn’t a regular library, but rather holds the ruling and reports of different courts, notably Manitoba, the other Canadian provinces and territories, as well as federal rulings. Canada is based on a Common Law system, meaning that like cases are treated similarly. Henceforth, those previous ruling are incredibly important and it is quite likely a lawyer or judge may need to check precedent.
The public can use the Law Library if needed, but you do need to make an appointment. (Like any library, giving them a heads’ up can save a lot of time in the long run.) And no, you can’t touch the books when you visit on a tour, as many are quite old. One woman literally slammed one on a table and started loudly flipping through it, and we were all aghast. No matter what library you visit, treat the books as you would like to be treated. It is just common sense.
Sadly, this spiral staircase is no longer in use- I believe fire codes had something to do with it. However, it did remind my of the Long Reading Room at Trinity in Dublin, and I have to believe someone tries to use it on a weekly basis. It is tucked behind two shelving units, but anyone small enough could fit in there. (I’m not sure that you want that to be the reason you are charged with a crime, but hey, it’s not the worst thing.) I love seeing the architectural and historical connections between our newer buildings here in Canada, and their counterparts back in the Isles.
Manitoba Court of Appeals
And what would our provincial courthouse be without the Court of Appeals? The Court of Appeals is the highest provincial court. There are twelve judges on the Court, but typically only three sit on a case. You will notice that there are three chairs turned to the side. They do this so that the judges can easily sit upon entering the courtroom. In an exceptional case, a panel of five judges will sit. The Court of Appeals hears appeals from the Provincial Court and the Court of the Queen’s Bench, but also several municipal boards including the Manitoba Labour Board. Appeals tend not to take very long (as opposed to trials), as the appeal is only looking at the application of the law, not the crime itself.
The Supreme Court of Canada, which normally sits in Ottawa, has decided that it will hear cases in Winnipeg now. If you live in the Western half of Canada, Ottawa is quite far. Winnipeg is the first metropolitan city past Ontario (the province where Ottawa is), and we have a full 24 hours of driving to get there. Which means that anyone living past us has to go much further. I think that making the Court more accessible is a fantastic step. It also means that nine judges will have to fit in this courtroom come September when they hear two different appeals. You can actually go and watch appeals, so I may try and go watch myself! (Fun fact: the calendar is always set to the next day the court is sitting.)
Have you visited the Manitoba Law Courts? Or any other law courts?
Cheers,
The Historian
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