A strategy to meet the needs until 2037
Over the past few decades, the situation regarding the premises of the Judiciary power has gradually deteriorated. It is now a cause for particular concern and is having a tangible impact on the smooth running of the courts and the services of the Judiciary power, mainly for the following reasons:
- the insufficient space made available to the Judiciary power;
- the fact that several courts are spread across different sites — a situation that is now a reality for the Cour de justice, the Tribunal civil, the Tribunal pénal and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which leads to a loss of efficiency and increases security risks;
- the dilapidated state of some buildings and their technical installations, which has led to an increase in malfunctions and equipment breakdowns.
Constraints that have become more pronounced
A number of factors have further complicated the situation in recent years:
- The Office Cantonal des bâtiments has drawn up the project to preserve the Palais de justice, with a view to refurbishing the court buildings in the Old Town and the works cannot be carried out without first relocating the current occupants.
- Two other important sites belonging to the Judiciary power require major and urgent works that are incompatible with the continuation of judicial activities and the normal use of the premises: the repair of the waterproofing and replacement of the sanitary columns at the Glacis-de-Rive site, as well as the replacement of the lifts in the rented building on Chemin Annevelle, in Lancy
- The new Palais de justice, which is currently at the urban planning stage, is now expected to be completed by 2037-2038.
An accommodation solution until the new Palais de justice is completed
In 2024, the Judiciary power and the Conseil d’État have agreed to make a significant additional space available to the judicial authorities.
This measure aims:
- to carry out, in turn, the drainage works in Annevelle, in Glacis-de-Rive and at the Palais de justice;
- to deal with the increase in the number of staff within the Judiciary power ;
- Generally speaking, to stabilise justice's real estate situation for the next fifteen years, that is, until the new Palais de justice is completed.
Introduction of a bill for the acquisition and development of the Fabrique des Morgines
On 23 September 2026, the Council of State approved a bill authorising a grant a credit of 201,115,000 francs for the purchase and refurbishment of a building situated in the municipality of Lancy.
The building, which covers an area of 22,500 m², has been developed by a private developer and has already been granted planning permission; it offers a solution that is both swift and cost-effective. It will initially house the Judiciary power, as well as certain units of the court hearings’ security brigade and the police. It will subsequently be made available to other cantonal administrative departments, initially on a temporary basis and later on a permanent basis.
This acquisition forms part of the State’s real estate strategy, which prioritises the purchase of administrative premises over renting them. It aims to strengthen the canton’s property portfolio, keep costs under control and ensure the availability of premises suited to the administration’s current and future needs.
A new Palais de justice scheduled for 2037
In 2012, the Conseil d’État and the Judiciary power have launched a feasibility study with a view to providing the Geneva courts with premises suited to the growth of its activities.
The New Palais de justice (NPJ) project aims to bring together all of Geneva’s courts on a single site in the Praille–Acacias–Vernets (PAV) area. It is scheduled to come into operation by 2037.