Courtgebouw

Courtgebouw is a Dutch term that refers to a building used to house courts of law. In Dutch-speaking regions it denotes the physical premises where judicial proceedings take place, including courtrooms, offices for judges and clerks, security facilities, and spaces for records and archives. The term can describe a single courthouse or a larger judicial complex.

Inside a Courtgebouw, proceedings may cover civil, criminal, and administrative matters depending on the jurisdiction. Courtrooms are designed for public hearings and typically feature a judge’s bench, a witness stand, and often a jury box. Ancillary spaces include judges’ chambers, offices for prosecutors and defense counsel, clerks’ offices, and archives. Public galleries provide access to sessions, subject to privacy and security rules.

Architectural styles vary widely, from historic neoclassical buildings to contemporary designs focused on efficiency and accessibility. Common features include secure circulation routes that separate judges, staff, and the public; reinforced access control; and provisions for acoustics and accessibility. Some Courtgebouwen are iconic, using grand façades and interior spaces to symbolize civic authority, while others emphasize modular layouts that can adapt to changing judicial needs.

Historically, courts met in multipurpose or fortress-like spaces before purpose-built Courtgebouwen became common. The modern trend emphasizes transparency, safety, and balanced public access with requirements for privacy and security.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, the term Courtgebouw is used informally for the building housing any level of court, while the courts themselves have specific names such as rechtbank or gerechtshof in Dutch, with analogous terms in other languages. See also: courthouse, judiciary, judicial architecture.