Madrid judicial system faces delays amid City of Justice construction

The Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) has launched an institutional campaign to address severe delays within the social jurisdiction in Madrid. The organization reports that delays are affecting nearly all stages of legal proceedings, with some hearings being scheduled years after a lawsuit is filed. ICAM warns that these delays impact employment, income, health, and social protection for thousands of citizens. ICAM Dean Eugenio Ribón has called for a coordinated meeting involving the Ministry of Justice, the Community of Madrid, the General Council of the Judiciary, and the High Court of Justice of Madrid to establish a common framework and urgent measures.

Simultaneously, the construction of the Madrid City of Justice in Valdebebas is progressing, with the High Court of Justice of Madrid and the Provincial Court expected to be ready by 2027. The project, which involves a total investment of 653 million euros, aims to unify 26 currently dispersed judicial headquarters into a single complex covering over 470,000 square meters. While the first phase is expected to be completed in 2027, the second phase, intended for lower courts and the Prosecutor's Office, is projected for completion in the summer of 2029.