The Department of Justice and Democratic Quality is implementing a plan to improve Barcelona's judicial infrastructure, adapting it for the creation of 32 new judicial units within the city. These new units are part of a decree from the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Courts, which allocates a total of 91 new judicial units across Catalonia.
The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, visited the site on Passeig Lluís Companys, designated for the future Provincial Court of Barcelona. Archaeological excavations are currently underway prior to the commencement of construction. Collboni described the day as "happy for the city" and emphasized that the project signifies progress in enhancing an "essential public service," highlighting its role as "social policy".
The mayor underscored the importance of unblocking this long-stalled project and thanked the Generalitat Government and Councillor Ramon Espadaler for "getting down to work." The reactivation of the future Provincial Court was among the initial requests made by the city council to the Department of Justice.
In addition to the new Provincial Court, the Department is adapting spaces within the Ciutat de la Justícia and the judicial headquarters on Via Laietana to progressively accommodate the new judicial bodies. These efforts will facilitate space reorganization and absorb the projected growth.
Collboni also acknowledged the institutional collaboration, including contributions from the High Court of Justice of Catalonia, the Provincial Court, and the Prosecutor's Office, who had repeatedly called for more space and resources.
The future Provincial Court, with an anticipated investment of 98 million euros and spanning nearly 57,000 square meters, is designed to meet current and future judicial needs. Construction is slated to begin in 2028, following the completion of archaeological excavations, with an estimated conclusion around 2030.
The archaeological excavations, which have already completed approximately 21% of the planned volume, have uncovered a previously undocumented ornamental structure from the late 18th or early 19th century. Collboni highlighted the dual purpose of the initiative: "We are serving the city's history with these excavations," contributing to the understanding of Barcelona's past while preparing a crucial infrastructure for the future.
