Canary Islands Courts Implement Emergency Plan for Papal Visit
The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands has implemented an emergency plan to maintain essential judicial services and manage potential disruptions during the upcoming papal visit on June 11 and 12.
The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Canary Islands has prompted the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) to launch an emergency plan to keep the justice system running. Due to the regional government’s warning of major traffic gridlock on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the court has prepared for significant disruptions on June 11 and 12.
The TSJC has informed the General Council of the Judiciary and local authorities that it will prioritize essential services while managing strict security-related travel restrictions. A special monitoring committee, led by the TSJC presidency, will oversee operations and has the authority to reschedule hearings or move them to online formats.
These measures will primarily affect judicial centers in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and San Cristóbal de La Laguna. In these areas, judges may postpone non-urgent hearings and restrict building access to prevent traffic congestion from blocking citizens and legal professionals from reaching their appointments.
To protect legal practitioners, the TSJC has clarified that they may cite "force majeure" under Article 134 of the Civil Procedure Act if security measures prevent them from meeting deadlines. However, the court emphasized that essential on-call services will remain fully operational and may even be reinforced. Critical tasks—such as criminal investigations, the processing of detainees, and the protection of fundamental rights—will continue without interruption despite the logistical challenges posed by the visit.