The courthouse, which continues to be used for judicial purposes as well as being used as administrative offices for His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, is a Grade II* listed building.

[3] The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, in a ceremony presided over by Sir J. T. Hibbert, on 2 February 1900.

[4] [5] It was designed by the Manchester architect, Henry Littler, in the Edwardian Baroque style, constructed by David Tullis and Sons and opened on 18 June 1904.

[4] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of thirteen bays facing Harris Street.

[12] The Courts Service Area Director's office for Lancashire and Cumbria is also situated in the building.