Judiciary headquarters set for historic Lilongwe move

Malawi’s judiciary is moving closer to a historic transition that will see its headquarters shift from Blantyre to Lilongwe.

The move will be anchored by the construction of the Judicial Service Complex, a project opposite Parliament in Lilongwe that is expected to become the new home of key judicial institutions.

Minister of Justice Charles Mhango said the relocation is part of efforts to establish a modern judicial centre in the capital, adding that the stalled project is now being revived following the signing of a supplementary agreement with the Chinese government to increase funding.

“Let me assure the nation that under the supplementary agreement, the Judicial Service Complex will be completed and the project will start in earnest once the Malawi government has fulfilled its obligations,” Mhango said.

The relocation will not only involve offices but also the official residence of the Chief Justice, which is currently located in Blantyre. Under the project, a new residence will be constructed in Lilongwe as part of the wider judicial infrastructure development.

Mhango: the project will resume soon

Mhango said the move represents a major transformation for Malawi’s justice system as the judiciary establishes its headquarters in Lilongwe, where several key government institutions are already based.

The Judicial Service Complex will also include a Judicial Training Institute, which will provide a platform for judges, magistrates and other judicial officers to enhance their professional skills and improve service delivery.

However, before construction can fully resume, government must complete its obligations, including securing the project site by finishing the perimeter fence to allow Chinese contractors to take over the site.

The minister said government is expected to settle outstanding payments owed to local contractor Terrastone, which is responsible for completing the perimeter works.

For years, the incomplete site opposite Parliament has remained a symbol of delays, but the planned relocation of the judiciary signals a new chapter in Malawi’s efforts to create a centralized and modern justice system.