Supreme Court Building

The construction of the Supreme Court building, a symbol of Hong Kong’s judicial system, began in 1900 and was completed in 1912. The architect in charge designed the south facade of Buckingham Palace. The most distinctive element of the building is the statue of Justice, Themis, which was erected on the top of the frieze. The statue holds a pair of scales on the right that represents fairness; and a sword on the left that symbolises power. The blindfold on her eyes represents the court’s impartiality. In 1984, the exterior of the building was declared a monument.

The Supreme Court Building is located in a reclamation area, and its foundation is composed of Chinese fir trees. During the construction period, due to lack of masons and changes of plans, it took a total of 12 years to its eventual completion. The building was still standing despite World War II artillery fire but was closed for maintenance due to the construction projects of the Mass Transit Railway in 1978. In 1984, the building was renovated and was used by the Former Legislative Council from 1985 to 2011. It was then converted to the Court of Final Appeal in 2015. The building has undergone many changes, but its importance in the development of Hong Kong’s legal system remains unchanged.

Photo courtesy of FormAsia Books Limited