Munich, May 18 – The new Criminal Justice Centre in Munich has been officially inaugurated, marking a significant milestone for the Bavarian justice system. The sprawling complex, located at Leonrodplatz, will house six courts and public prosecutor’s offices, aiming to streamline judicial processes and enhance efficiency. The first trials are scheduled to commence in early July, following a monumental relocation operation.
Massive Relocation Underway for Judicial Departments
The move involves transferring the criminal law departments of four courts and two public prosecutor’s offices from various locations across Munich to the new centre. This colossal task requires approximately 300,000 moving boxes and 1,500 lorry journeys, to be carried out in stages. The official inauguration precedes the commencement of this extensive logistical undertaking, which is set to begin by the end of May.
State-of-the-Art Facility with Bayern’s Largest Courtroom
The new centre boasts 850 offices and 54 courtrooms, each named after a Bavarian municipality. Among them is a 280-square-metre courtroom, believed to be the largest in Bavaria. This divisible hall has been assigned two names, Illertissen and Neu-Ulm, reflecting its dual capacity. The highly anticipated “Reichsbürger trial” is scheduled to resume there on July 7.
Remarkably, the furniture for the offices was largely manufactured by inmates in the Munich and Amberg correctional facilities. The total cost of the new complex is estimated at 434 million euros.
A “Signal for a Strong Rule of Law”
Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) hailed the new building as a “signal for a strong rule of law” and an “appreciation” for those working in the justice system. The facility spans a usable area of 39,000 square metres, nearly eight times the size of Munich’s Marienplatz, and will accommodate 1,300 employees – approximately ten percent of all general justice staff in Bavaria.
Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich (CSU) emphasized that this project represents the largest construction undertaking in the history of Bavarian justice. Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) described the new centre as a flagship for state building projects, noting that the concrete mixers used, if lined up, would stretch for 90 kilometres, roughly the distance from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Sustainable Design and Modern Amenities
The new complex at Leonrodplatz is characterized by its abundance of natural light, oak-panelled walls, and flooring crafted from parquet and natural stone. Minister-President Söder praised its grand and wonderful appearance, humorously questioning the location of a potential “spa.” The building was constructed to a “passive house-like standard” and is arranged around three inner courtyards, including a publicly accessible Justice Garden. However, all visitors, like staff, will be required to pass through security checks.
Consolidating Justice Under One Roof
Hans-Joachim Heßler, President of the Munich Higher Regional Court, expressed particular enthusiasm for the consolidation of all criminal justice departments “under one roof.” This includes the criminal divisions of the District Court, the two Munich Regional Courts, the Higher Regional Court’s criminal senates, and the two Munich public prosecutor’s offices. He believes this integration will be a “highlight” for the justice system.
Years of Delays and Future Plans for the Old Centre
The opening of the new Criminal Justice Centre was initially planned for 2020 but faced numerous delays. These included the discovery of contaminated excavated soil, a company’s lawsuit in the tendering process, the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and mould infestation. A design flaw at the underground car park entrance, initially too narrow for prisoner transports, also made headlines. The future of the old Criminal Justice Centre on Nymphenburger Straße, built in the 1970s, remains uncertain. The Bavarian state government intends to sell the site, but critics are advocating for it to be used for affordable housing.
