Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Genk Justice of the Peace has announced that it will hold hearings again at the City Hall on 1 November after being relocated to Bilzen for two years because of the roof leakage, which led to electrical failure.
The Genk City Council has initiated a user agreement allowing the Justice of the Peace to conduct sessions at City Hall, providing a more accessible venue for local residents. Luc De Cleir, representing the Limburg courts, emphasised the importance of justices being close to citizens, stating,
“Justices of the peace are judges who are close to the citizens. We see that many court functions are centralised in large buildings. But justices of the peace are real antennas in society. So we think it is important to be close to the people.“
This anticipatory action is intended to maintain community involvement and guarantee that citizens have easy access to legal procedures. Actual sessions will continue in Genk, while the registry office will remain in Munsterbilzen. However, there are plans to merge both services later in the future. This police court has now become a permanent one in Tongeren. De Cleir noted,
“But the ambition is to bring the registry office and the sessions of the Genk justice of the peace together again. That is, of course, more efficient. But this is also a temporary solution.”
This indicates ongoing efforts by local authorities to streamline judicial services and improve operational efficiency within the region, ultimately enhancing public trust in local governance.
What led to the relocation of the Genk Justice of the Peace?
The Genk Justice of the Peace was under threat due to its relocation two years ago because of infrastructural problems arising from a roof leakage that led to electrical faults. This event not only interrupted the court sessions but also exposed weaknesses in the local administration buildings.
The arrangement to hold the hearings at City Hall for a while demonstrates affirmative action by the city administration in a bid to return to normalcy and ensure that the people get the required legal services in a fair and stable manner.
Genk has been experiencing different administrative reforms geared towards the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. The city’s population has been experiencing a steady rise, and according to the latest data, more residents are accessing the city’s judicial services.
Genk was estimated in 2020 to have roughly 66000 residents, and many were in need of a lawyer because the challenges of urbanisation were gradually demanding legal services. Having a temporary location at City Hall increases community participation and proves that courts are dedicated to keeping the judiciary open despite structural issues that may prevent the same.