Belgium gains e100m to build new courts

The European Invest-ment Bank is advancing e100m (£71.2m) to Belgium to help fund the construction of two large judicial complexes in Liège and Mons. Each project will receive a e50m loan.

In Liège, Belgium’s Régie des Bâtiments is building a new court of justice building integrated with the Palais des Princes-Evêques. It will house offices for 600 staff of the city’s commercial, labour, small claims and lower courts, the office of the public prosecutor and other departments, and is due to be completed by 2008.

In Mons, a new judicial centre will bring together all courts and related administrative services, renovating the existing court of justice which surrounds 17th, 18th and 19th century buildings.

A 33,000-square-metere centre will also be built, incorporating accommodation, the criminal court and the public prosecutor’s office, to be completed by 2006.