A new commercial court was inaugurated in Lagoa on Tuesday but will only start taking cases in September after the summer holiday that the country’s judicial workers enjoy every August.
The new court will be the only alternative in the Algarve to Olhão’s overburdened commercial court and will likely take on some of its cases.
It is located in the town’s former E.B. 2,3 school which was revamped to the tune of around €380,000 by the local council.
The renovations involved installing electricity, painting walls and replacing floors and ceilings, explained local mayor Francisco Martins.
Justice Minister Francisca Van Dunem, who attended the inauguration ceremony, said: “This court is part of the reorganisation of the judicial structure in the south and, due to accessibilities, it will be useful to have a new court in the Barlavento (Western Algarve).”
Lagoa council provided the building to house the court and paid for the renovations, with the minister saying it was an example of cooperation between central and local governments.
