North Goa courts ready to move into Merces centre, work starts March 10

Panaji: More than four months after former CJI D Y Chandrachud inaugurated the new district and sessions court complex at Merces, the old courts will begin moving there in a phased manner. In the first phase of shifting, the district and sessions courts, North Goa, and civil and criminal courts in Panaji, which are presently functioning from the Lyceum Complex, Altinho, will be shifted and start functioning from the new complex from March 10.

The North Goa district legal services authority, Panaji, which is presently functioning from the old district and sessions court building near Panaji Residency, Panaji, is also being shifted in the first phase and will commence functioning from the new complex from March 10.

The fast track special court (POCSO) for Goa will continue functioning from the old district and sessions court building near Panaji Residency, Panaji, for the time being. The new complex is said to be technologically advanced and comprises virtual courtrooms with digital facilities, an e-Seva Kendra, digital case management, and e-filing systems.

It is designed to be user-friendly for persons with disabilities, featuring ramps, accessible washrooms, and Braille script on signboards. The complex also includes a vulnerable witness room, witness protection rooms, exclusive spaces for permanent and regular Lok Adalats, mediation and arbitration proceedings, and a clinic with an in-house medical team.

It boasts facilities such as ATMs set up by three banks, a creche for children of litigants and staff, and a multipurpose hall equipped with audiovisual equipment that can accommodate 300 persons.