Valencia Legal Councils request Court Suspension and launch aid

In response to the serious ongoing situation in Valencia, the Legal Councils of Valencia’s Lawyers, Procurators, and Social Graduates have formally requested that the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJCV) declare the week of November 4–10 as a non-working period in the province of Valencia.

The proposal is supported by leaders of the three councils—Fernando Candela Martínez (Valencian Council of Lawyers), Carmen Rubio Antonio (Council of Procurators), and Amparo Martínez (Council of Social Graduates)—who collectively represent the affected professionals. This request addresses the considerable difficulties facing residents in the affected areas, including severe disruption to transport, power outages, unstable telecommunication networks, and ongoing health concerns. These issues have significantly impacted thousands of legal professionals, witnesses, and others involved in judicial processes who are currently unable to fulfill their legal obligations.

The goal of the requested suspension is to alleviate the immediate strain on the judicial system in Valencia, allowing time for recovery efforts to progress in the hardest-hit areas.

Free Legal Assistance Service Activated for DANA-Affected Citizens

In addition, the Valencia Bar Association (ICAV), led by Dean José Soriano, has announced a free legal aid service available starting Wednesday for those impacted by the adverse weather (DANA) event. The service will be accessible by appointment at JUSTIPROP locations in affected areas and at ICAV offices throughout the province.

To support legal professionals, ICAV has also arranged for affected lawyers to use its facilities in Valencia and the City of Justice starting November 4. A “support offices” initiative is available for those who have lost their workspaces, along with assistance for accessing essential documents and other administrative needs.

“We are seeing yet another instance where the legal profession is overlooked by authorities, to the detriment not of our profession alone, but of the citizens who are urged to avoid travel—yet are still required to attend proceedings,” Soriano said. He highlighted that many lawyers, procurators, and social graduates in Valencia have suffered extensive losses of workspace, case files, and transport, making it extremely challenging to manage judicial cases.

Soriano further emphasized the necessity of suspending court proceedings in the province, requesting support from lawyers across Spain to advocate for the suspension of cases in which an affected lawyer is involved.

The ICAV, together with the bar associations of Alzira, Sueca, and Valencia, is working closely with the Valencian Council of Lawyers and the Department of Justice and Interior to provide urgent legal aid to all DANA-affected residents. In addition, the Notary Association of Valencia has announced free virtual assistance for drafting notarial acts for those seeking documentation to file insurance claims for home damage.

Soriano concluded by reaffirming the legal profession’s dedication to public service during this critical time, underscoring, “Today we must—and will—stand as both lawyers and advocates for the community.”