Minister of Justice Nikola Selaković opened officially the new court building at Bulevar Nikole Tesle 42a, to accommodate the civil departments of the First Basic Court.
The Minister of Justice highlighted that this is the first fundamentally refurbished building of a general competence court after 40 years, where the works were completed within only 160 days. He also added that the four-storey building will accommodate 680 staff, judges and others in 102 well equipped court rooms.
Selaković underlined that the refurbished building of what used to be Aeroinžinjering Company seat is completely adjusted to the needs of judicial proceedings, and citizens will be able to resolve their contentious and non-contentious cases in the area of labor and family laws, property and inheritance relations, probate proceedings and other legal affairs.
„The building is well equipped and furnished with everything that is needed for efficient ruling, so that the Ministry of Justice will insist on explanation if the judges do not comply with the Regulation on the Criteria and Measures for the Work of Judges and Court Presidents“, said Selaković. He highlighted that the new building is the first facility for which the Ministry was in charge of the works oversight. The works were performed following the turnkey principle by MPP Jedinstvo, according to the design by CIP Institute of Transportation.
The Minister also disclosed that in addition to the court building, works will commence in the fall on the court building in Ustanička street to accommodate the Misdemeanor Court for the City of Belgrade, and in the first half of 2015 the Ministry will commence works at the building in Katanićeva street, to be followed by the works on the Palace of Justice in Savska street.
President of the Appellate Court in Belgrade Duško Milenković expressed his hope that the new court building will significantly contribute to providing conditions for more accessible and efficient operation of the judiciary system, more frequent scheduling of hearings, increased number of court days and higher quality working conditions for judges.
President of the First Basic Court Tanja Šobat expressed her satisfaction with the relocation of her court into the new building hoping that this will result in easier access to justice for out citizens.
The ceremony of the opening of the new building of the First Basic Court was attended by high representatives of the judiciary, executive and legislative power in Serbia.