Portugal's courts grapple with extreme heat, prompting trial delays

The Sindicato dos Funcionários Judiciais (SFJ) reported that court rooms across Portugal are experiencing temperatures above 40 °C, describing the conditions as "authentic saunas." In Lisbon's Palácio da Justiça, the lack of functional air‑conditioning and only three fans for nine staff members forced the postponement of hearings until mid‑September. Similar overheating was cited in Porto, Sintra, Almada, Loures, Seixal, Montijo and Faro, where air‑conditioning is absent or limited and, in some locations, even potable water is unavailable.

The union warned that these conditions cause extreme thermal stress, fatigue and health risks for magistrates, staff, lawyers and the public, and it called for urgent intervention by the authorities to restore proper climate control and water supplies to the justice system.