Stop 1: Building’s Façade

• The building is constructed with granite and red bricks, featuring an Edwardian Neoclassical style. It is three-storey high with a basement, incorporated with a domed chapel at the northwest corner. The interior adopts extensive use of Roman columns. Although the building adopts classical architectural design, it also integrates advanced technology of the time, such as reinforced concrete floor slabs and I-beam. Notably, the green louvres on the façade today are part of the building's original design.
• The building was subsequently renovated for use by law-related organisations (LROs) and related purposes. It forms a legal hub together with the adjacent Justice Place (Former Central Government Offices). The establishment of the legal hub helps enhance Hong Kong's position as a legal services hub in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthen its role as an international legal services centre. Housing the LROs under one roof creates synergy in their operations.  The co-location of LROs allows for shared and efficient use of common facilities for training, conferencing activities and as venues for mediation / arbitration.  This maximises the use of space in the area.  The proximity of these organisations with each other (as well as with the Department of Justice) facilitates the organisation of joint events.

Stop 2: Foundation Stone of the Building

• This stone tablet, engraved with the "ME" emblem (the abbreviation of the French name “Mission Étrangère” for the French Society of Foreign Missions) and the French date "24 Mars 1917" (March 24, 1917), is the foundation stone of the building. While 1917 marks the year of commencement of the construction, the building officially opened in 1919.

Stop 3: Ground Floor Hallway

• During the time when the building was used as the Court of Final Appeal, this Hallway served as the reception area. The reception counter was located between the two granite columns at the time. The granite columns, featuring the Doric Order which is a Classical Order popular in ancient Greece and commonly found in neoclassical architecture, showcase exquisite craftsmanship.

Stop 4: Internal Courtyard on Ground Floor

• The internal courtyard originally served as the building’s lightwell, providing the building with natural light and enhancing cross ventilation. The transparent skylight and circular light fixtures seen today are later additions. During the time when the building was used as the Court of Final Appeal, an elevator was installed at this courtyard. Considering that the elevator would ruin the overall ambiance of the place, it was removed during the restoration. The mosaic tile flooring was replaced by marble during the time of the Court of Final Appeal. The conservation team, making reference to the old photographs during restoration, restored the flooring to its original appearance. Mosaic floor tiles are still preserved in some of the rooms in the building.

Stop 5: Main Staircase

• The authentic main staircase is made of hardwood. To comply with current statutory regulations, a handrail was added along the wall side during the restoration. The newly installed handrail is not fixed to the wooden structure of the staircase, ensuring that the original timber structure remains undamaged.

Stop 6: Former Chapel on First Floor

• This former chapel is one of the most significant spaces of the building. This area has a double ceiling height, with the altar originally located beneath the louvered windows. A small oculus at the centre of the dome allows indirect sunlight into the chapel. At the interior, the pilasters of Ionic Order, a Classical Order originated from ancient Greece, can be seen. The Ionic Order is distinguished by its volute (scroll-like) motifs on the capital and the square base at the bottom, commonly known as the “feminine column”. In addition, the mosaic floor tiles found here are noteworthy for appreciation.
• This space has served various judicial functions over time, including the Magistrates’ Court (now the District Court), the Supreme Court (now the High Court) and the Court of Final Appeal.

Stop 7: Verandah on First Floor

• The former chapel connects to the first-floor verandah, an open and covered space designed to suit Hong Kong’s subtropical climate. This architectural design helps reduce direct sunlight penetrating to the interior and provide heat insulation. When the building was used as the Court of Final Appeal, the verandah was enclosed with glass and installed with air conditioning, transforming it into a dedicated passageway for judges to move between their offices and the courtroom. During the restoration of the building, the glass enclosure and air conditioning system were removed to restore the verandah to its original appearance.

Stop 8: Concrete Staircase on First Floor

• During the period when the building was owned by the French Society of Foreign Missions, this staircase was used by domestic helpers. When the building later served as a court, the staircase conveniently connected the car park area for prisoners’ vans to the bar in the courtroom (the former chapel) and thus, with iron bars installed, it later became a staircase designated for the suspects. These iron bars, being one of the preserved facilities during the time of the court, serve as the tangible evidence of the history of the former chapel as a courtroom.

Stop 9: Cell No.2 on Underground Level

• Cell No.2 is another preserved facility of the former court, where the suspects were temporarily detained before being called into the courtroom. There is a washbasin and a squat toilet inside. The building originally had two cells. Cell No. 1, adjacent to Cell No. 2, was removed to make way for the installation of an elevator during restoration.
• During the time when the building was used by the French Society of Foreign Missions, other spaces on this underground level housed a wine cellar and living quarters for coolies and servants.