The judicial complex in Brno is finished, judges will start working in a week

Brno - The controversial judicial complex in Brno is practically finished and certified; only some offices remain to be equipped. Politicians and representatives of the judiciary visited the buildings, which cost nearly two billion crowns, today. However, judges and prosecutors are not yet working in the two modern palaces. The enforcement section of the City Court in Brno will be the first to start operating there on July 20.
    Justice Minister Daniela Kovářová acknowledged today that financing the costly project has caused problems in the ministry. "Nevertheless, I am proud of this building," she stated. According to some critics, the judicial complex is overpriced. The management of the Regional Court in Brno, which oversaw the construction, rejects all criticism.
    The complex grew on green fields by the Svratka River in the southern part of the city, and the construction has more than doubled in cost compared to the original plans. The complex belongs to the courts and public prosecutors for Brno-city and Brno-region, which had previously worked in various locations and faced long-term capacity issues.
    The judicial complex is among the most discussed constructions of recent times. The Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) found last year that the anticipated costs of 786 million crowns rose to over 1.8 billion crowns. This amount was not final either. According to the NKÚ, mistakes made by the regional court in managing the project and the inconsequential and inconsistent oversight by the Ministry of Justice are to blame. However, the cost increase is also partly due to the expansion of the court area compared to the original project.
    Representatives of the regional court today labeled the NKÚ's findings as distorted. "The inspection came prematurely, before the completion of the construction. Some data were misleading. This building could never have been built for 800 million," said the chairman of the regional court, Jaromír Pořízek.
    The case is now being investigated by the High State Prosecutor's Office in Prague. The antimonopoly office also dealt with the contracts for the construction of the complex. Recently, the office canceled the tender for part of the furniture. "We filed an appeal, and I believe that the new chairman of the antimonopoly office will overturn the decision," Pořízek stated. The head of the regional court even faced disciplinary charges due to the construction but received no punishment. Due to the project, the Ministry of Justice had to postpone several other investments in the ministry for a time.
    The complex consists of two buildings. One serves the judges, while the other serves the prosecutors. The total built-up area corresponds to a football field. According to Kovářová, judges and prosecutors will communicate more easily, and their work will be more efficient. Pořízek also appreciates that the judges will finally have quality facilities.
    The costs of the construction works amount to approximately 1.87 billion crowns. The state paid more than 67 million for the equipment. According to the regional court, the total costs are 1.938 billion crowns. The construction lasted three years.
    The symbol of the entire complex is a baroque statue of the archangel Michael with scales and a flaming sword. It decorates the atrium of the court building. It was loaned by the Roman Catholic Church. The statue, dating from 1728, originally adorned the Church of St. Michael in Brno.