With the signing of a Promise of Sale for the former Downtown Hotel in Victoria, the Government has taken concrete action to deliver the modern law courts that Gozo has long needed.

The Government has taken a decisive step towards strengthening Gozo’s judicial infrastructure with the signing of a Promise of Sale agreement for the former Downtown Hotel in Triq l-Ewropa, Victoria. This move will finally pave the way for a modern and accessible courthouse that meets the needs of the Gozitan community.

Dr Vanessa Grech, CEO of the Court Services Agency, explained that the property was selected after an extensive evaluation process that considered location, accessibility, size, legal status, safety compliance, redevelopment potential and financial viability. Out of eleven submissions received during the Public Market Consultation, the former hotel emerged as the most suitable option. Strategically located in the heart of Victoria, the site offers excellent accessibility and ample space for redevelopment. The negotiated acquisition price of €6,325,000 and the projected redevelopment costs further supported its selection.

For decades, not only the past ten years, Gozo’s courts have operated from a seventeenth-century building within the Citadel. While historically significant, the premises have long been inadequate for modern judicial needs. Growing caseloads, evolving legislation and accessibility challenges have made reform urgent. Yet, for years, the issue remained unresolved. Today, the difference is clear. There are those who talk and those who act. This Government has chosen bold and decisive action to deliver solutions.

The contrast in political approaches was evident during Wednesday evening’s parliamentary sitting. While Minister Jonathan Attard confirmed that a Promise of Sale had been signed and, the following day, announced the well-planned project in detail, the Leader of the Opposition claimed that the new Gozo Court had been forgotten, despite a media call about the project having been issued just hours earlier. The facts speak for themselves. Far from being forgotten, the project is now at a stage that past administrations never reached. This reality shows who chooses negativity and criticism, and who presents solutions and delivers them.

Minister Attard described the acquisition as a significant milestone for Gozo’s justice sector. Minister Clint Camilleri echoed this sentiment, calling the investment a long-awaited step to ensure equal access to justice for Gozitans. Works to convert the building are expected to be completed within three years.

During the press conference, officials presented artistic impressions of the new courthouse, offering a glimpse of a future where justice is served in a dignified and accessible environment. This project is more than bricks and mortar. It is a clear statement that when it comes to justice, decisive leadership matters.