Just how controversial was Banksy’s new Royal Courts of Justice piece?

Will Jennings | Wallpaper | 10th September 2025

Banksy latest image, a judge beating on a demonstrator, has appeared on the wall of London’s main law courts. The writer dismisses the work as vague – Banksy “wants to be seen as [a commentator] but not make any meaningful comment”. Another writer seems quite relaxed, noting that art works have been altered and erased for centuries. Elon Musk has posted that he approves of the work. Says Banksy, “it’s better if you treat the city like a big playground, you know? It’s there to mess about in.”