Occupy Justice have been in residence at the courthouse since December 20 pic: Dave W. Von
Occupy Justice, a group of protesters who took over the disused Old Street Magistrates courthouse on December 20, have agreed to vacate the building in just 20 days.
The Occupy Justice camp appeared in court on Tuesday morning to contest an application for a possession order made by Mastcraft Ltd, who have owned the Grade II-listed building since 2006.
Following two adjournments, Occupy Justice came to an agreement with the owners to hand back the building on January 23. This was agreed to by the presiding Judge.
Despite the impending eviction, Occupy London are “pleased” with the amicable outcome of yesterday’s court case. A press statement by the movement said: “Occupy London would like to thank Mastcraft for having the imagination to work with us in giving this fine building a new lease of life – as well as perhaps the last ever trials to take place in the building – while it awaits redevelopment.
“We hope this agreement will serve as a model for others to follow.”
With the future of the occupation of the courthouse at 335 Old Street, Hackney secured for the next three weeks, the group, who plan to hold a series of “trials of the one per cent”, will release a schedule of events soon.
The group proposed to conduct mock trials of bankers and corporations accused of financial greed, including global investment banking firm, Goldman Sachs.
Speaking to EastLondonLines immediately after the occupation began last month, Leon, 27, said: “Nick Clegg and David Cameron will be tried for not fulfilling campaign pledges and other offences. I hope Boris Johnson gets put on trial as well.”
Around 50 Occupy London protesters, including ex-servicemen group Occupy Veterans, drove a small tank – the “tank of ideas” – to the former court on the morning of December 20. They were met by little resistance from police, who were at the time described as “sympathetic”, and no arrests were made.
The Old Street camp initially brought the total number of occupied London spaces to four, including the St. Paul’s Cathedral camp, Finsbury Square camp, and the Hackney occupation of the UBS building.
