The site selected by the Lord Chancellor's Department, on the corner of College Lane and South Quay, had been occupied by a maltster's warehouse, operated by Alexander and James Bowker, which was built in the late 18th century.

[2][3][4] The new building was designed by Leonard Manasseh and Partners in the Modern style, built in red brick at a cost of £1.1 million,[5] and was completed in 1982.

The main entrance was recessed into the main frontage at the left-hand end; a Royal coat of arms of King Henry VIII, which had been recovered from the East Gate when it was demolished in the early 19th century, was installed at first-floor level above the entrance.

[9] The rest of the main frontage was fenestrated by pairs of tall casement windows inserted into triangular recesses along the whole length of the building.

[12] Notable cases have included the trial and conviction of Birute Klicneliene, in November 2022, for the murder of Dace Kalkerte, who had been stabbed 16 times.