New Banksy in central London: location and potential meaning for Royal Courts of Justice artwork

Just over a year after Banksy finished up a series of animal artworks that saw the likes of mountain goats, elephants, monkeys and rhinos appear across London, on Monday (September 8) Banksy confirmed he’s behind another mural in the capital.

This piece is at the Royal Courts of Justice, on the outside of the Queen’s Building. It appears to show a judge striking a protester with a gavel, with the protester on the ground and holding a blood-spattered placard. The judge is in a traditional wig and black robe.

It’s one of Banksy’s grimmer murals, in stark contrast to the playful animal series of last summer. Banksy has confirmed authorship of the artwork in an Instagram post.

Where is the new Banksy in London?

Banksy’s latest artwork in the capital is on the Queen’s Building, which is part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex. According to BBC News, the mural has already been covered up with barriers and plastic sheets.

What does the new mural represent?

As always with Banksy, no official explanation has been given of what the artwork represents.

However, its appearance follows the UK government proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group, and hundreds of arrests at protests. On Saturday (September 6), nearly 900 people were arrested at a Palestine Action protest in London.

Can you still see the latest Banksy?

There was only a very, very brief window that members of the public could have seen the new Banksy at the Royal Courts of Justice. The mural was swiftly covered over, and has been kept under guard behind barriers. 

HM Courts and Tribunals has since said that the mural will be removed to maintain the ‘historical character’ of the building. The structure is listed and over 140 years old.

Is the new Banksy going to be removed?

HM Courts and Tribunals Service has confirmed that the mural will be removed. 

Banksy in London

Banksy might not have been as active in London this summer as he was in August 2024, but his artworks have still been in the news a fair amount. His piranhas piece on a police box is set to go on display at the London Museum, while one of his other works is now on show at the London Transport Museum. Plus, here is a map of Banksys you can spot around London.

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