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Rehabilitation of the Damascus Palace of Justice
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The Palace of Justice in Damascus is undergoing rehabilitation and restoration. It is one of the prominent judicial and historical buildings in the Syrian capital. The project is executed by the "General Establishment for Construction and Building" and aims to modernize the building's infrastructure while retaining its architectural character.
History of the Building
Published sources mention several milestones in the building's history. SANA describes it as one of the oldest Islamic buildings erected during the Ottoman period, at the start of the 16th century (1516). The Arabic Wikipedia entry on the building reports that it suffered destruction in a fire in 1945 and was then restored, and that after independence it became known as the Palace of Justice.
Scope of Works
On 12 March 2026 SANA quoted the official in charge of implementation as saying that the works included stripping out all of the old finishes, installing connection points for the sanitary and electrical networks, and plastering and marble work. The official added that a large part of the work in the rooms around the Criminal Court hall had been completed, including ceramic, granite, aluminium and paint work, and that the suspended ceilings had been installed.
By that date, according to the same official, the second floor had been completed, and work was under way in the Criminal Court hall and its adjoining rooms on the first floor. SANA also quoted an engineer from the Syrian Company for Engineering and Surveying Studies, described as one of those supervising the rehabilitation works, who said that the technical teams follow the architectural, electrical and mechanical works and that the supervision team is made up of civil and structural engineers, architects, and electrical, mechanical and sanitary engineers. A member of the supervision body quoted by SANA said the works follow a gradual restoration plan for the whole building, and that some sections, including the roofs and structural beams, had been restored in earlier phases. The official in charge of implementation said the project had run into technical obstacles related to the drawings and studies, which were overcome in coordination with the study entity.
Contract and Budget
SANA gives the contract value as 9.5 billion Syrian pounds (9 billion 500 million) and its duration as 210 days from 20 August 2025. Its 12 March 2026 report quotes the official in charge of implementation as saying the contract was concluded with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, and says the works are carried out in cooperation with the Syrian Company for Engineering and Surveying Studies.
On 20 August 2025 the Minister of Justice announced that a budget had been allocated for repairing the Palace of Justice in Damascus and completing building work there (SANA; Shaam News Network). Shaam reports that the minister said the "Housing ministry workshops" would begin work in the coming period and, in a post on X, that the project is part of a comprehensive plan to repair the infrastructure of government institutions. SANA, for its part, describes the works as part of a government plan to renew the infrastructure of judicial facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the project located?
At the Palace of Justice in Damascus, Syria.
Who is executing the project?
The "General Establishment for Construction and Building." According to SANA, the works are carried out in cooperation with the Syrian Company for Engineering and Surveying Studies, and an engineer from the company is among those supervising them.
What do the works include?
Removing the old finishes, installing connection points for the sanitary and electrical networks, plastering, marble, ceramic, granite, aluminium and paint work, woodwork and tiling, and installing suspended ceilings.
How are the works being carried out?
According to a member of the supervision body quoted by SANA, the works follow a gradual restoration plan for the whole building. On 12 March 2026 SANA quoted the official in charge of implementation as saying that the second floor had been completed and that work was under way in the Criminal Court hall and the adjoining rooms on the first floor.
How much is the contract worth?
9.5 billion Syrian pounds, according to SANA, for a duration of 210 days from 20 August 2025.
What is the latest completion rate reported by SANA?
On 27 April 2026 SANA quoted an official of the executing entity as saying that progress had reached about 80 percent, including the woodwork, tiling, marble and suspended-ceiling works, and that the works were continuing. See the update dated 27.04.2026.
Update — 2026-03-12
On 12 March 2026, SANA documented the contract figures for the Palace of Justice rehabilitation in Damascus: the works are being carried out by the General Establishment for Building and Construction in cooperation with the Syrian Company for Engineering and Surveying Studies, under a contract worth 9.5 billion Syrian pounds with a duration of 210 days starting 20 August 2025.
The agency quoted the official in charge of implementation as saying on that date that works on the second floor had been completed and that activity was then concentrated on the Criminal Court hall and adjoining rooms on the first floor. The scope covers removal of old cladding, installation of connection points for the sanitary and electrical networks, marble and plaster work, ceramic, granite, aluminium and painting works, and the installation of suspended ceilings, while preserving the heritage character of the building, whose origins SANA traces to the Ottoman period in 1516.
Sources
UPDATE 27.04.2026, SANA reports about 80 percent progress including woodwork, tiling, marble and suspended ceilings
On 27 April 2026 SANA, in a report on Ministry of Public Works and Housing projects, quoted an official of the executing entity as saying that the completion rate at the Palace of Justice had reached about 80 percent, including the woodwork, tiling, marble and suspended-ceiling works, and that the works were continuing. The report refers to a contract worth 9.5 billion Syrian pounds, and the official was quoted as confirming adherence to the technical specifications and the set timeframe.
