County Court (former County Hall)

Neo-classical style, with a symmetrical front of 7 bays (grouped 2:3:2) and 2 storeys, with a deep eaves cornice and projecting double Tuscan pilasters to the angles. Constructed of snecked rock-faced sandstone with Penmon stone dressings, and slate roof behind coped parapets incorporating a central skylight. The front elevation is dominated by the full-height 3-bay portico, reached up stone steps. The portico has 4 Roman Doric columns, an architrave which is continued across the entire elevation, and a frieze with inscription reading 'Victoria Reg County Hall AD MDCCCLXIII'. A pediment is on a cornice with mutules that is continued as the eaves cornice and the apex is crowned by a large figure of Justice. Doorways are in the bays R and L of centre. They have fluted consoles supporting moulded architraves, and double panelled doors. Windows have moulded architraves, with corbelled sills in the upper storey and with keystones to the central 3 bays. The windows are 12-pane hornless sashes (replaced horned sash upper R). To the L of the portico, where the ground level slopes downwards, are 2 sash windows lighting the basement. The angle pilasters each have a small vent strip between, and with a horned sash to the basement in the L-hand replacing an original door.

The symmetrical 3-bay R side wall facing Shirehall Street has angle pilasters and entablature similar to the front. The central doorway with double panelled doors and a surround with consoles to moulded cornice, with keystone. Windows are 12-pane hornless sashes in moulded architraves, and keystone upper centre. The rear has roughcast wall and 12-pane sash windows over a rear wing which has an entrance projection facing Shirehall Street dated 1989.

The full-height council chamber (now the Crown Court) occupies the 3 R-hand bays. It has a coved ceiling and a central domed lantern, and is panelled with profuse relief ornamanetation. An apsidal recess has a keyed elliptical arch on Tuscan pilasters, spandrels with roundels and relief ornament, and a scalloped plaster vault. Windows have panelled reveals and beneath the sills of the upper tier of windows is a rich foliage frieze with roundels, while betweeen the windows are plaster fielded panels. At the back of the council chamber is a raked gallery with panelled front and brass hand rail.