Santiago del Estero strengthens Peace Courts to improve rural legal access

The Superior Tribunal de Justicia (STJ) of Santiago del Estero has signed a cooperation agreement with the provincial Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to strengthen the role of Peace Courts (Justicia de Paz). The initiative, presented during the ‘Justicia Cerca’ event, aims to improve access to justice for residents in the province's rural and interior regions.

Dr. Federico López Alzogaray, president of the STJ, emphasized the need for judicial institutions to adapt their tools to meet modern societal needs. To support this transformation, the Center for Peace Justice (CEJUPAZ) is focusing on three strategic pillars: the professionalization of Peace Judges, the strengthening of institutions, and judicial modernization.

Because Santiago del Estero has an extensive territory and a significant rural population, the program seeks to democratize justice by addressing unique community dynamics. This includes mandatory intensive training, both in-person and virtual, to equip Peace Judges to act as community mediators and facilitate dialogue within local populations.