[1] The building, which was designed by John Johnson in the classical style, was built in Portland stone between 1808 and 1812.

[1] The design for the building involved a symmetrical main frontage of five bays facing the High Street; the central section of three bays featured a recess with six Doric order columns supporting the upper floors; there were casement windows on the first floor and flanking wings which slightly projected forwards.

[1] Above the first floor windows were reliefs which depicted Wisdom, Justice and Mercy.

[4] The county council moved Pelham House in 1938, from when the building in Lewes High Street was used solely for accommodating the assize courts.

[5] The county council then moved on from Pelham House to St Anne's Crescent in Lewes in 1968.