A criminal court in Walloon Brabant is indefinitely pausing hearings as its courthouse has been deemed unfit for occupation.
The Walloon Brabant Court of First Instance has been forced to evacuate its headquarters in the courthouse of Nivelles, as emergency services identified a number of issues with the building.
Masses of archives scattered around the building pose problems with mould and potential fire hazards. Electrical installations in the building also need to be checked.
Certain archive rooms have been off-limits since June after fungus linked to very high levels of humidity in the basement was discovered.
Earlier this week, the mayor of Nivelles Bernard De Ro (Les Engagés) issued a police order prohibiting people from being inside the courthouse. Examining magistrates, clerks from the correctional section, and staff have been relocated to Palais II on Clarisse Street in Nivelles.
The Walloon Brabant court has said that it will have to indefinitely pause the hearing of assize cases (the most serious crimes). The closed courthouse is the only space suitable for secure transfers of detainees appearing before the court.
"The offices and courtroom they occupy are designated for the Brabant-Wallon Assize Court, which is the only space ensuring minimally secure transfers for detainees appearing before examining magistrates, the council chamber, or the correctional chambers of the court. Consequently, no further assize court sessions will be held in Walloon Brabant until this situation resolves and a long-term solution is found," the court stated.
Officials also recalled that last November an assize session had to be postponed due to a staffing shortage. It will also be impossible to host the Brussels assize court sessions that are regularly relocated to Nivelles.
