Sal island will have a Palace of Justice and specialised courts: a strategic step towards judicial efficiency and attracting investment.

Sal Island, recognised as one of Cape Verde’s main tourist and economic hubs, is preparing to receive a major structural investment: the construction of a modern Palace of Justice, the creation of a commercial court and the expansion of the civil court. The initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Justice, aims to streamline the functioning of the judicial system, strengthen legal certainty, and make the business environment more attractive to domestic and foreign investors.

The Government’s strategic announcement:

On 7 July 2025, Cape Verde’s Minister of Justice, Joana Rosa, on an official visit to the island of Sal, announced the launch of construction work on the new courthouse for the District of Sal, and the elevation of the district to the category of final access district, which is a strategic measure for the island as part of recent reforms, including the new Judicial Organisation Law.

Importance of the project:

With an estimated cost of around 300 million Cape Verdean escudos, it will be a modern, functional and structuring building for the island, which will not only focus primarily on the judicial authorities but also serve the entire community in general. The construction of the building will represent a major step forward in the island’s development, housing the various bodies and services of the judicial system and offering better conditions for the work of magistrates, court officials and other employees. The initiative comes in response to the structural and logistical shortcomings of the current court, which is no longer able to cope with the growing demand for legal proceedings on the island, marked by strong population, urban and economic growth.

Elevation of the district and specialisation of new courts:

In parallel with the construction of the palace, the district was elevated to the category of final access, reinforcing its legal and institutional status. This elevation presupposes a high presence of more qualified magistrates, contributing in fact to the fight against the slowness of justice and, consequently, the creation of new specialised courts, with emphasis on the commercial court.

The creation of a court focused on commerce fills an important gap in the local judicial system. The presence of a new court will serve to further streamline the processing of legal proceedings, boost the business environment and legal certainty, and consequently encourage local and foreign investment.

Digitisation and modernisation of services:

Another fundamental pillar of this reform is the technological modernisation of the judicial system, notably the implementation of the Justice Information System (SIJ), which came into force at the beginning of 2025. This system enables the processing of legal proceedings in a fully digital manner, with clear gains in terms of time, transparency and sustainability.

Since its implementation, the SIJ has enabled the digitisation of more than 8,000 case files, saving approximately 400,000 sheets of paper, which represents not only an environmental victory but also a significant advance in the administrative efficiency of the courts.

In addition, a single window for public deeds was created in conjunction with the Sal City Council, allowing citizens or investors to carry out various acts related to land registration, tax payment, notarial certification and the issuance of official documents at a single counter.

Efficient Justice:

The construction of a new Palace of Justice and the creation of a new court require more than administrative measures; they represent the State’s commitment to justice in order to ensure economic and social development.

Legal certainty, predictability in judicial decisions and speed in resolving disputes are essential requirements for any investor. By strengthening these areas, Cape Verde, and particularly the island of Sal, becomes more competitive on the international stage, consolidating itself as a safe destination not only for tourism, but also for business and productive investment.

Therefore, these measures represent a historic step forward in the development of Cape Verdean justice and for the island of Sal. It is a response to the challenges of modernity, globalisation and the growing complexity of the island’s economic and social relations.

More than just a construction project, it is an investment in the future of Cape Verdean justice, anchored in the principles of good governance, accessible and efficient justice, and the promotion of a more solid and reliable business environment, with the aim of promoting a fairer and healthier society for the entire Cape Verdean community.