The Island of Gozo is to have new law courts after the Planning Commission granted development permission which will include a multi-storey car park for the public. The approval by the Planning Authority of this development application will now facilitate the process for the eventually relocation of the law courts currently stationed within the Cittadella to a more accessible and appropriate place.

The new law courts building which will become a landmark architectural feature within an extensive public plaza will be built in close proximity of the town centre of Rabat. The approved building will be accessible to all.

The project will also include the construction of six levels of parking under the building, of which the first basement level will include 54 car parking spaces dedicated to the magistrates, personnel and staff for the operation of the law courts building while the remaining five levels will accommodate a further 441 car parking spaces for the public.

A site selection exercise was carried out as part of the planning process, which included the possible upgrading and refurbishment of the existing law court building. The exercise assessed the following variables which included the location, environmental impacts, landscape and visual impacts, social impacts, technical and operational considerations, economic impacts and transport.