Tribunalul București

Have you ever wondered what stories lie hidden beneath the imposing facade of the Tribunalul Bucureşti? This grand structure, located on Bulevardul Unirii, has a fascinating past that intertwines with the city’s history. The Tribunalul Bucureşti stands on the site of the former Junior department store, also known as the “mirror store”. Opened in 1987, the store struggled to attract Bucharest’s shoppers. After only five years, it closed its doors in 1992, leaving most of its space unused. In 1999, the Romanian government recognized the building’s potential. It was declared a property of public utility and national interest. The building was then assigned to the Ministry of Justice, initially intended to house the High Court of Cassation and Justice. However, after the High Court declined the offer, the Ministry decided to relocate the Tribunalul Bucureşti and the Sector 2 Court here. The transformation from department store to courthouse began. The original atrium, known as the “Hall of Lost Steps”, along with the staircases and hallways, were preserved. The rest of the building was completely rebuilt. The reconstruction aimed to meet international standards. It was designed to ensure the smooth operation of justice. The Tribunalul Bucureşti officially opened on December 11, 2006. The building boasts 27,000 square meters, spread over eight levels, six above ground and two below. The two-level basement is as large as the above-ground structure. It houses the court’s detention cells, separated by sex and age. These cells are built to European standards, each equipped with bathrooms and air conditioning. The basement also provides space for clerks, archives, security personnel, and parking. The ground floor is dedicated to public services, including archives, registries, and offices for the duty judge, prosecutors, and lawyers. The first and second floors house 26 courtrooms, deliberation chambers, and judges’ offices. Access to the top three floors is restricted to the tribunal’s staff. The cost of transforming the former Junior store into the Tribunalul Bucureşti exceeded 500 billion ROL. This funding was secured through a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to the Romanian Government. Over 100,000 case files, 80,000 of which were active cases, were moved to the new building between November 23 and December 11, 2006. Today, the Tribunalul Bucureşti stands as a symbol of justice. It also serves as a reminder of the city’s ever-evolving landscape.