It was designed by Government architect, Arthur Benison Hubback, and built at a cost of $208,500 Straits Dollars.

[1][2][3] The building was opened by High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States, Sir Arthur Young at a ceremony held on 1 May 1915, in the presence of the Chief Judicial Commissioner Thomas Braddell, judges, court officials and members of the Bar.

[2][4] Later, courts were relocated to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, but in 2003 were moved to the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya following a fire.

The public entrance on the Gombak River side leads to an open courtyard in the centre of the building which has a double staircase to the courts situated on the upper floor.

At the back of the ground floor were placed the cells which had access to the courts by a private staircase so prisoners could be brought to the dock without being seen by the public.