A new €5.1 million building for Malta’s Criminal Court of Appeal is taking shape in Valletta, promising more courtrooms, improved facilities and dedicated spaces for victims.The development, located in Triq id-Dejqa (Strait Street), will feature three new courtrooms, offices for members of the judiciary and administrative staff, and dedicated registry and archive facilities.One of the project’s key features will be a separate space for victims, designed to provide a safe and dignified environment away from other parties involved in court proceedings.According to the Justice Ministry, work on the building is progressing well despite the challenges of construction in Valletta’s historic centre.The project is also expected to free up space in Malta’s main law courts, allowing additional hearings to be accommodated and potentially improving the justice system’s efficiency.Justice Minister Clifton Grima said the investment was about delivering better services to citizens, not simply constructing another building.“When we invest in court infrastructure, we are investing directly in a better justice service for citizens,” he said.The site was acquired in October 2020, while demolition and reconstruction works were authorised to begin in January 2025.The development will also include new furniture, audio equipment and X-ray machines.No completion date was specified, but the government says the project forms part of its wider efforts to modernise Malta’s judicial infrastructure.•