Plans to reopen the 19 court houses - four of which are in the Vila Real circuit - are outlined in a document submitted by Van Dunem on Tuesday to members of parliament's committee on constitutional affairs, rights, freedoms and guarantees.

According to the document the aim of the Ministry of Justice in reopening the courts is to bring justice closer to citizens. The same applies to another measure requiring that judicial services be offered in 27 "proximity sections" created by the previous government to provide a limited service only.

Another way that the ministry says it aims to bring justice closer to citizens is “through doubling up the family and minors sections and reducing the area of territory that they cover, with the attribution of this duty to some of the local courts."

The reopening of the 19 court houses is aimed at “combatting the desertification of the interior” and "facilitating the access of residents to essential judicial services”.

The courts in question are those in Sever do Vouga (Aveiro district), Penela (Coimbra), Portel (Évora), Monchique (Faro), Meda (Guarda), Fornos de Algodres (Guarda), Bombarral (Leiria), Cadaval (Lisboa Norte), Ferreira do Zêzere, Mação and Golegã (Santarém), Boticas, Murça, Mesão Frio and Sabrosa (Vila Real), Tabuaço, Armamar and Resende (Viseu).

The court at Paredes de Coura, in Viana do Castelo district, is also being reopened.

At the same time the 27 "proximity sections" will from now on have to offer judicial services.