Attorney General John Quigley and Police Minister Paul Papalia unveiled a plaque at the $86 million facility before guests during a ceremony today.
“The new Courthouse provides the space, facilities and technology to meet the needs of a growing population in the Armadale area,” Mr Quigley said.
“It is a significant Government investment in the justice system which will serve the community for decades to come,” he said.
The Courthouse has five courtrooms for Magistrate Court and Children’s Court hearings. Four have custody facilities and one is for civil matters.
A multi-purpose courtroom has counsel benches which can be rotated to a conference or community court setting, allowing for less formal hearings to take place.
A mediation room can accommodate family violence restraining order conferencing to make it easier and less traumatic for victims to obtain protection without facing perpetrators in court.
“The complex is functionally designed to give all members of the community equal access to justice in an environment that is safe, secure and inclusive,” Department of Justice Director General Dr Adam Tomison said.
“It’s the result of close cooperation between the Department and the Western Australia Police Force,” Dr Tomison said.
The courtrooms are equipped for remote defendant appearances and witness testimony by video-link from either within the building or courts and prisons across the State.
There are six court custody designated cells within the complex, one of which has audio-visual technology installed that allows a court appearance by an accused person who cannot be physically taken to a courtroom.
The Registry has five counters for such public services as paying a court fine, applying for a civil court order, or obtaining a birth, death or marriage certificate.
Commissioned artworks by leading Noongar artists Yondee Shane Hansen and Sharyn Egan feature throughout the complex.
The new facility replaces the 40-year-old Armadale Courthouse, which will cease court functions at close of business on Friday, 3 November.
