The Alicante City of Justice will be named in honor of Rafael Altamira, the renowned Alicante lawyer whose legacy is celebrated by the regional government. This announcement was made this morning by Ximo Puig, President of the Generalitat, during the presentation of the project, attended by city officials, legal professionals, and other members of civil society.
Inside the auditorium of the Pardo Jimeno Palace of Justice, a virtual depiction showcased the future building. The project encompasses a total construction area of 46,800 square meters, distributed across seven floors, two basements, and a semi-basement, with an investment of 85.6 million euros.
The plan’s circulation and tendering were outlined after the expense was approved. Last week, 16 companies visited the plot where the new structure will rise, underscoring strong interest from the construction sector.
Consul approves Alicante City of Justice budget
The existing courthouses cover 19,000 square meters, a figure that will grow to more than 46,000 square meters with the new building. Justice Minister Gabriela Bravo noted that the project faces potential hurdles, including the possible reform of the General Town Planning Plan to allow two additional floors. Still, the foundational choices at the outset positioned the project as a priority.
The complex is designed to host 51 courts, 23 courtrooms, two additional spaces for macro hearings, and 186 parking spots. Up to 250 photovoltaic panels will adorn the façade to power the facility with renewable energy. An innovative feature is the provision of dedicated spaces for the Forensic Medicine Institute, enabling autopsies to be conducted on-site rather than at a separate funeral facility. A future extension floor is planned.
During his remarks, Puig confirmed an 86 million euro investment and stated that the City of Justice would be ready by 2025. Naming the building after Rafael Altamira serves as a tribute to the Alicante judge who later connected with the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Puig argued that the new courthouse would represent the largest investment in a judicial building in the past two decades and would stand as a symbol of efficient, modern, and accessible justice. He emphasized that the decision to honor Rafael Altamira acknowledges one of Spain’s most notable but lesser-known human rights advocates, whose pacifist values guide the project’s spirit.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a humane model of justice supported by increased staffing, digital tools, and sustainable infrastructure. The Generalitat plans to create 3,000 new positions in the Justice Administration, enhancing citizen service, energy efficiency through solar installations across courthouses, and a streamlined procedural system with telematics.
The budget for justice infrastructure has risen markedly since 2015, with funding increasing from 10 million euros to 60 million euros and continuing to grow.
During the presentation, attention turned to future milestones. The administration outlined plans to award 277 million euros in projects by 2023 across the province, including Villena, Vila Joiosa, and Alicante, as well as expansions in Orihuela and Denia.
Gabriela Bravo, Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Public Administration, described the project not merely as a building but as a debt repayment to the local population of over 400,000 people. The judicial district has faced delays, partly because Alicante was previously the only state capital without a dedicated City of Justice. The schedule anticipates completion after 33 months of work beginning in late 2022.
Bravo stressed that the project, accounting for more than a third of the Judicial Infrastructure Plan’s budget, embodies a commitment to accessible, close, sustainable, and efficient justice that better serves all professionals and citizens. Accessibility is a core principle, with no architectural barriers and comprehensive services integrated on site, including a Gender Violence Complaints Office, Crime Victims Assistance, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
The city councilor reinforced the idea that the new complex would ease workloads for legal operators while providing a symbolic landmark for the community. Gratitude for the support received during the lengthy bureaucratic process was voiced as the project progressed toward approval.
A virtual recreation of the future Alicante City of Justice accompanied the remarks, illustrating the scale and design of the project.
Construction is slated to begin in the last quarter of 2022, with a delivery window of 33 months. The 48,000-square-meter facility will sit adjacent to the existing Benalúa courts and include ground level spaces, a semi-basement, two basements, seven floors, and an attic housing photovoltaic systems. The building is designed to maximize solar energy capture and integrate smart systems for energy management and climate control, while ensuring full accessibility for people with functional diversity.
Inside the complex, most judicial branches serving the Alicante jurisdiction will be centralized. The plan consolidates Law, Criminal, and Prosecutor’s Office activities and integrates a Mediation Center, Legal Guidance Services, the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Comprehensive Forensic Evaluation Units, psychosocial offices, specialized complaint offices, and Victims of Gender-Based Violence services, alongside Gesell cameras. A shared meeting room and the Dean’s Office will also be housed there.
A new building for the Barrio de la Justicia
Meanwhile, the Pardo Gimeno street headquarters will retain disputed-administrative and social courts, while the Provincial Court will continue to operate from Plaza del Ayuntamiento as the investigation into alternate locations continues. The rehabilitation of the Benalúa courts forms part of the Judicial Infrastructure Plan, which includes constructing nine new judicial facilities and rehabilitating five others.
UGT, speaking during the ceremony, urged the Generalitat to increase staffing in line with the new courthouse. They argued that more personnel are essential to reduce delays and improve overall efficiency, noting that traffic within the judiciary would persist without adequate investment.