The government has announced that the Former North Kowloon Magistracy in Sham Shui Po will be turned into a judicial education centre to “continue the judicial spirit and traditions of the Magistracy”.

The Development Bureau said the Grade 2 historic building will be converted into the "NK Future" under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, and the HK$160.5 million project will be undertaken by the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention.

The society’s chief executive, Anthea Lee, said much of the funding will go into preserving the historic elements of the former magistracy — including a central Italianate style staircase, the courtrooms as well as the detention cells.

The society’s vice president, Patrick Li, said it’s hoped that the project – when completed in 2026 – can educate people about the legal system here.

“Our main aim, as a society, is to promote legal education, which is a very very important issue for Hong Kong, especially after 2014 or 2019. It is important that our younger generation understand what we have, what our legal system was before, and why we need protection by the Basic Law,” Li said.

He added that the building will also feature restaurants, cafes and specialty shops.

”The other collateral programs, such as interconnection with the NGO, the cafe, the restaurants – they are for more revenue so that we can hopefully balance our expenditure.”

The government said it has earmarked an additional HK$5 million to subsidise the initial operation of the project.