Peace courts bring people closer to Justice, says Secretary of State in Tarouca

Daily

Tarouca’s peace court, one of the oldest operating in the country, last Friday marked 20 years of activity in a ceremony attended by the Secretary of State for Justice, Jorge Costa

The Tarouca justice of the peace, one of the oldest operating in the country, last Friday (March 15) marked 20 years of activity in a ceremony attended by the Secretary of State for Justice, Jorge Costa.

The service has been dedicated to resolving small conflicts in the municipalities of Tarouca, Armamar, Castro Daire, Lamego, Moimenta da Beira and Resende, having recorded an efficiency rate of 200 percent for around two years. It currently operates in the old Tarouca primary school.

In his speech, Jorge Costa highlighted the proximity of peace courts to the population, noting that they “represent a way of administering justice closer to citizens”, said the government official.

The mayor of Tarouca, Valdemar Pereira, said that the service was “an important bastion of justice in our region”.

“Under the commitment of tireless dedication and professionalism of all those who contribute to making this a service of excellence, the Justice of the Peace has offered proximity to citizens, providing a way for the peaceful resolution of small disputes”, said the mayor at the ceremony commemorative.

The event also brought together several people linked to the area of ​​justice, including representatives from the District of Viseu, the Bar Association and the Order of Solicitors and Execution Agents, as well as the general director of Justice Policy, Lídia Jacob, and the president of the Council of Judges of the Peace, the retired judge advisor Vítor Gomes.

Peace courts are courts that promote the resolution of conflicts in a faster, more economical and conciliatory manner, guaranteeing the rights of citizens who would otherwise never resort to justice, dealing with civil problems whose value amounts to up to 15 thousand euros, excluding those involving matters related to family, inheritance and labor rights. There are currently 27 justices of peace in Portugal.

Among the jurisdictions of those judged are condominium rights and duties, civil, contractual and non-contractual liability cases (including road accidents), breaches of contracts and obligations, cases of possession and usurpation and claims for civil compensation in crimes of bodily harm, defamation , insult, theft, damage, alteration of landmarks and fraud to obtain food, drinks or services.

The judgments also deal with domestic situations such as forced passages, water drainage, opening windows, doors and balconies or similar works, in addition to processes related to urban leasing except evictions.