Madras High court.

Madras – Year 1892: “ Madras High Court buildings”

The construction of the High Court buildings (Then called as Law Courts) was commenced in October 1888. The original plan and estimates were prepared by  J. W. Brassington, Consulting Architect to Government. But they were revised by H. Irwin, CIE, Consulting Architect. Though the original cost was estimated at Rs.9,45,000/-, the construction was completed at a revised cost of 12,98,163/- in July 1892. The special feature of the building is the Tower of the Light House which is about 175 feet high.  A panoramic view of the entire city is presented from the top of this tower. The building was constructed in Indo-Saracenic style.

The construction of the building was completed in July 1892 and it was formally inaugurated on the 12th day of July 1892. The design of the Court Halls, the separate corridors for the Judges and Lawyers, the Central dome, the artistic interiors of the Court halls, the aesthetically carved chairs and tables that adorn the Court Halls, the wood work in and around the entire building, show the great craftsmanship of the 19th Century.

On Inauguration day, the then Governor of Madras, Hon’ble Beilby Baron Wenlock, handed over the key to the then Chief Justice Hon’ble Sir Arthur Collins.  The Chief Justice was accompanied by his colleagues on the Bench, Justice T Muthuswami Iyer, Justice Parker, Justice Wilinson and Justice Best. 

Accepting the key, the Honourable the Chief Justice, Sir Arthur Collins said in solemn gaiety:

….” My Lord, so long as this High Court is an independent Court, with Judges who fear no man, and who administer the law, according to the rules of law, equity and good conscience, with the jurisdiction it has exercised for so many years in tact, I believe it will continue to have and to deserve the confidence of the public……

In conclusion, I fervently hope that long after you and I, Your Excellency, have passed away, to that undiscovered country, of which, we know so little, there may always continue to be found, men of ability and courage, who will administer the law in these courts, without distinction of Class, Creed and Race;”