Law Courts

The Law Courts, previously known as County Hall, were built between 1808 and 1812 by John Johnson, with later 19th-century extensions and conversion into courts. The building is constructed of Portland stone with a slate roof and is composed of a main block flanked by slightly projecting wings, with a recessed wing to the right.

The two-storey building has a tall plinth to the rusticated ground floor and a deep platband above. A bracketed cornice runs along the roof, with a central dormer concealed within a frame carrying the Royal Arms. The facade has seven windows arranged in a one-three-one-two rhythm; the two bays on the right are a later 19th-century extension, set slightly back from the main front. Casement windows are set into raised, moulded square surrounds on the second floor of the outer bays. Three panels in the centre feature Coade stone plaques of Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy, designed by Johnson.

The first floor features tall transom and mullion wood-framed windows within raised, moulded surrounds; the outer bays have triangular pediments over the windows, while the central three bays have cornice hoods on small brackets over entablatures with rosette decoration. Blank balustraded panels are set into the platband under the first-floor windows. Single-glazing bar sashes with rusticated gauged heads are found in the outer bays. A five-bay Doric columnar screen sits on the ground floor of the recess; the central three bays are recessed behind, while the outer bays project forward to form a screen with rusticated walling and single-glazing bar sashes on either side.

At the rear, three arched doorways are flanked by doubled half-glazed doors and large radiating fanlights, separated by attached half-columns. Iron spearhead gates provide access to the three bays of the screen. Steps lead up to the screen from the street and also to the doorways behind. A large square glazed lantern hangs from the central intercolumniation of the screen.

The interior contains a hall with two large Doric columns supporting an entablature that acts as a screen. Behind the hall is a single-flight staircase with a cast-iron baluster and wooden rail. Court rooms 1 and 2 are essentially identical, with mid-to-late 19th century interiors featuring top lighting, coved ceilings, a large rectangular area above, and Italianate decoration. The galleries have balustrades supported on deep volute brackets. The back to bench has a coved hood over the Judge's seat.