The central section of three bays, which was slightly projected forward, featured a three-bay arcaded porch with a balustraded parapet.

The changes involved a new three-bay frontage facing onto the Market Square, as well as a new four-bay extension to the south, along Castle Gate, to create a new courtroom, which was decorated with a vaulted ceiling with ornate plasterwork and three cupolas.

[1] Queen Victoria visited the town and, accompanied by civic leaders, stood in front of the building as she reviewed a guard of honour drawn from the Roxburghshire and Selkirk (The Border) Rifle Volunteers in the Market Square in September 1867.

[11][12][13] During the First World War, to protect local people from German bombing, the court rigorously enforced the blackout regulations, imposing fines or imprisoning anyone who breached them.

[14] A plaque, intended to commemorate the centenary of the death of Sir Walter Scott, was designed by Alexander Carrick and placed on the front of the building in 1932.