Judge Gallery

The Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck (c.1390-c.1441), 1430-3

Gothic Art. Belgium. 15th Century. The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb or The Lamb of God. Early Flemish polyptych panel painting. Commisioned from Hubert van Eyck (1385/90-1426) and executed by his brother Jan van Eyck (c.1390-c.1441), 1430-32. Open view. Detail. Lower left panel. Just Judges and the Knights of Christ. Oil on oak. Saint Bavo Cathedral. Ghent

© Thaliastock / Mary Evans

Notebook and wig of Justice Hawkins

A notebook and wig once belonging to the English Judge, Justice Hawkins (Henry Hawkins, 1st Baron Brampton), given to Horatio William Bottomley, Liberal MP, following an unsuccessful prosecution for fraud. According to Bottomley, Justice Hawkins shook his hand, said he was the ablest advocate he had ever listened to, and handed him the notebook and wig. The entry in the notebook is dated 1893, and contains the names of Horatio Bottomley, Sir Henry Isaacs, Joseph Isaacs and Charles Dollman -- all directors of a company called the Hansard Publishing Union, which failed, owing money to its shareholders and investors. Bottomley made several court appearances as a defendant in libel and fraud cases, and frequently acted for himself. He was also a financier, swindler, journalist and newspaper proprietor. He founded the Financial Times and the magazine John Bull. In 1912 he was forced into bankruptcy, which meant that he had to leave parliament

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Ilford murders - personalities in the case

Personalities at the time of the trial of Frederick Bywaters and Mrs. Edith Thompson, who were accused and later hung for the murder of Thompson's husband, Percy Thompson. Pictured are the Solicitor General Mr. T.W.H Inskip, the counsel for Mrs Thompson, Sir Henry Curtis Bennett and the counsel for Frederick Bywaters, Mr Cecil White-Ley. The Judge, Mr Justice Shearman, who sentenced the prisoners to death, is also pictured, Date: 1922

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans