The new permanent exhibition at Central Magistracy takes a fresh look at the building. Focusing on the experiences of people who passed through the Magistracy, the exhibition explores its role in Hong Kong’s criminal justice system, starting in 1841 and ending with the building’s decommissioning in 1979.

Newly commissioned research shines light on the experiences of the millions of people who came before the courts and the magistrates who tried them. Through their stories, the exhibition explores the struggles and inequalities of everyday life in a city divided by class, ethnicity, and language.

The exhibition highlights the importance of this heritage site in Hong Kong’s urban history. It also invites us to think more generally about questions of equity and justice in society.