The New Exchequer Buildings, 50 North Bailey, Durham City was from its opening in 1856 the home of several local administrations relating to the Bishopric. John Ward (Mayor of Durham in, and died, 1871) practised law there, and held the office of deputy of the Durham Court of Pleas. At his death he was succeeded by his son, William Charles Ward, registrar of the High Court. In 1880 the firm of Ward and Mawson appears at that address, after which Joseph Mawson appears in his own right. Mawson carried on alone until eventually forming Mawson & Son. In the 1950s this became Mawson, Freeman and Curry, which eventually transferred from the New Exchequer premises in 1971, when it became the University Law department. The solicitors continued in Durham, as Freeman Johnson.
From the guide to the Mawson Papers, 1572 - ca.1950, (Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections)
