The first ‘civic’ building to be built on Wood Street was the Court House. It was designed by Charles Watson in the Greek Revival style.

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Work began on the building in 1806 and it was completed in 1810. The building was extended in 1849 and again during the 1880s.

 

The Court House is Grade II* listed and in 2013 entered the Historic England Buildings at Risk register. It has since been purchased by Wakefield Council and a temporary roof structure created to protect the building from further damage.

The crest on top of the court house features a depiction of Lady Justice with her scales. This sculpture however, does not wear the blindfold and somewhat unusually, she carries a scroll rather than the sword of justice.

 

As well as being used for court business, the building was also used to house public meetings in its large open space as this poster for ‘Three Interesting Lectures’ in 1825 shows. The poster is part of the 'Cryer Collection', a significant collection of original printed materials held by Wakefield Local Studies Library.