Practical information

 

Access to the Justitia site

The Justitia is located at Avenue du Bourget, 22 in 1130 Brussels.

  • By train: Bordet station is 10 minutes walking distance of the building
  • By tram or bus
  • De Lijn: bus 471 and 272
  • STIB: trams 55 and 62 - buses 65, 69 and 80

More information on the following websites STIB and DELIJN

  • By car: Waze or Google Maps applications will take you exactly to the entrance of the building if you search for "Justitia".

In principle, a parking dedicated to the civil parties, the injured parties, and the accredited victims will be accessible on a free basis. It is located 400 meters after the main entrance, on the right-hand side.

The Justitia site is located in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). This is an area where the most polluting vehicles are banned from driving. More information can be found at: https://www.lez.brussels/mytax/en

 

People with reduced mobility

Persons with reduced mobility can be dropped off in front of the site at a specially designated area. Those accompanying them must then park their vehicles in the parking reserved for them. They may also be assisted and accompanied by Red Cross staff and wheelchairs will also be made available.

 

Security

Before entering the building, all persons must pass through the security system (scans and identity check). A fast lane is provided for people with reduced mobility and any accompanying persons. Accredited persons (see below) also benefit from more fluid access to the site.

Safety instructions:

  • Luggage is not allowed on the Justitia site and no cloakroom is foreseen.
  • No filming or photography is allowed within the site.
  • Accredited persons may keep their mobile phones but may not use them inside the courtrooms (silent mode). Other persons must leave their phones in the lockers provided at the entrance of the building.
  • No food or drink may be brought onto the site. Vending machines for drinks and snacks (for a fee) are available on site. It is also possible to have lunch in the cafeteria.
  • Medicines may only be brought onto the site upon presentation of a medical certificate.

 

Accreditation

Accreditation is not compulsory but facilitates access to the site and courtrooms. It can be done before the trial but is still possible at Justitia. You can do this at the reception desk in the main hall.

With the exception of the public, people present in the Justitia are identified by colored cords:

Green: victim/civil party accepting press contact (image and interview)

Red: victim/civil party refusing contact with the press (image and interview)

White: injured party and victim, who are not constituted as civil party/have not filed a civil suit (+ green or red)

Yellow: lawyers

Orange: press

Blue: judicial staff and assistants

 

Location of the trial

The Justitia comprises a main courtroom ("Popelin 1 " room) with a capacity of 170 people where the accused and their lawyers will be placed. There is also space reserved for civil parties and their lawyers.

To seat the large number of civil parties, their lawyers and possibly their relatives/close persons, seven relay courtrooms have been set up, linked to the main courtroom by sound and image, with interaction in both directions. These relay rooms are part of the courtroom. Civil parties and their lawyers can therefore address the court from these rooms.

Two rooms which are dedicated to the public with image and sound but without the possibility of interaction are installed at the entrance of the building.

Victims who wish to do so can withdraw to a room reserved for them. It can be accessed by contacting the victim reception services.

 

Translation of hearings

The hearing is conducted in French. Live translation of the hearing into Dutch and English will be provided on a daily basis. Headsets are provided for this purpose (as well as for the persons who are hard of hearing).

The civil parties may request an interpreter in another language. This request must be sent in advance to the clerk’s office of the Court of Assizes for the days on which the civil parties will be present at the hearing. This request should be sent by the civil parties or their lawyer(s) to the e-mail address assises.bruxelles.justitia@just.fgov.be. It can also be communicated via the judicial assistants of the victim reception services.