The former Fanling Magistracy building, originally known as the New Territories Magistracy, began operation in 1961 as the first magistracy set up in the New Territories. Upon relocation to its new building in 2002, this former magistracy was closed. Thereafter, the venue has been used as a shooting location for films including Internal Affairs II and A Guilty Conscience.

The building was included by the Development Bureau under Batch III of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme. It underwent revitalisation and was transformed into the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute, which started operating in December 2018. Court No. 1 has now been revitalised into the Digital Debate and Speaking Chamber, while Court No. 2 has been preserved with original features maintained including the magistrate’s bench, prisoner's dock and public sitting area. The building has also retained, in addition to the appearance of one of the former detention cells, a grand staircase with ornamental ironwork balustrades leading to upper floor courtrooms.

Apart from the former Fanling Magistracy building, North District is also home to other charismatic historical architecture. From the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, situated along the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail, and the nearby Luen Wo Market, included by the Development Bureau under Batch V of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, to the Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall in Ho Sheung Heung, Sheung Shui, these architectural structures are all rich in history and a must-go for local history buffs!