Key data
| Regulation | Agreement of September 8, 2026, of the Standing Commission of the General Council of the Judicial Power |
|---|---|
| Publication in BOE | September 25, 2026 |
| Entry into force | December 31, 2026 |
| Specialized body | 23rd Section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona |
| Subject matter | Violence against Women (exclusive and non-exclusive specialization) |
| Enabling rule | Arts. 80.3, 82 and 82 bis 2 of Organic Law 6/1985, of July 1, of the Judicial Power |
| Rule creating the body | Royal Decree 559/2026 |
| Category | Public Sector |
| Direct stakeholders | Victims of gender violence in Barcelona and their legal representatives |
From December 31, 2026, matters of violence against women in the province of Barcelona will have a specialized judicial body of reference: the 23rd Section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona. The General Council of the Judicial Power (CGPJ) approved this measure through an agreement of its Standing Commission on September 8, 2026, published in the BOE on September 25, 2026.
The formal creation of the section takes place through the Royal Decree 559/2026, and its specialized activity begins on the same date: December 31, 2026. The legal basis is articles 80.3, 82 and 82 bis 2 of the Organic Law 6/1985, of July 1, of the Judicial Power.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement assigns to the 23rd Section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona the exclusive and non-exclusive specialization in matters of violence against women. It is important to understand these two terms well:
- Exclusive: the 23rd Section is the body designated preferentially to hear these matters within the Provincial Court of Barcelona.
- Non-exclusive: other sections of the same Provincial Court may continue to hear cases of violence against women if procedural circumstances or workload require it. The jurisdiction of the other sections is not blocked.
This specialization formula is the same one that the CGPJ has applied in other Provincial Courts in Spain for sensitive matters. It allows concentrating technical knowledge and experience in a specific body without collapsing the system if the volume of cases grows.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Specialized body | 23rd Section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona |
| Type of specialization | Exclusive and non-exclusive |
| Subject matter | Violence against Women |
| Date of start of activity | December 31, 2026 |
| Rule creating the body | Royal Decree 559/2026 |
| Legal basis for specialization | Arts. 80.3, 82 and 82 bis 2 LOPJ (LO 6/1985) |
Operational and procedural impact
This measure does not generate direct costs for companies or self-employed individuals, but it has relevant operational consequences for those working in the judicial field in Barcelona:
- Concentration of cases: proceedings for violence against women that reach the Provincial Court of Barcelona will be directed preferentially to the 23rd Section. This may affect deadlines and the assignment of judges.
- Greater specialization of judges: the section will have judges with specific training and experience in this matter, which should result in more technical and coherent decisions.
- Impact on procedural strategy: lawyers litigating in this matter will have to adapt their arguments to a body with greater specialized knowledge, which raises the level of technical requirement.
- Possible reduction of deadlines: specialization usually improves efficiency in processing, although it will depend on the actual workload assumed by the new section.
Who does it affect?
- Victims of gender violence in the province of Barcelona whose cases reach the Provincial Court.
- Lawyers and solicitors representing victims or defendants in proceedings for violence against women before the Provincial Court of Barcelona.
- Prosecutors who intervene in these proceedings before the Provincial Court of Barcelona.
- Law firms with practice in criminal law and gender violence in Barcelona.
- Organizations and entities supporting victims of gender violence that act as popular prosecution or legal assistance in Barcelona.
Practical example
A victim of gender violence in Barcelona whose case, after passing through the Court of Violence against Women, reaches the Provincial Court on appeal, will be heard as of December 31, 2026 preferentially by the 23rd Section. Her lawyer will no longer have to prepare for a generalist judge: she will know in advance that the matter will be resolved by judges with specific specialization in violence against women.
If due to workload or other procedural circumstances the 23rd Section could not assume the case, the non-exclusive specialization allows another section of the Provincial Court to resolve it equally, without this constituting a procedural irregularity.
What should professionals do now?
- Identify active proceedings: if you have matters of violence against women pending before the Provincial Court of Barcelona, verify what procedural phase they are in and whether they will be active from December 31, 2026.
- Update procedural strategy: from that date, documents and arguments addressed to the 23rd Section must be adapted to a body with greater technical specialization in the matter.
- Inform clients: communicate to the victims you represent that their cases will be heard by a specialized section, which may have implications for deadlines and the quality of decisions.
- Monitor the activity of the 23rd Section: once in operation, it is advisable to analyze the first decisions to identify interpretive criteria specific to this specialized body.
- Consult Royal Decree 559/2026: to know the exact composition and operating regime of the new section from its formal creation.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 23rd Section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona start operating?
The 23rd Section will begin its activity on December 31, 2026, a date that coincides with its formal creation through Royal Decree 559/2026. The CGPJ agreement was published in the BOE on September 25, 2026.
What does it mean that the specialization is "non-exclusive"?
It means that, although the 23rd Section is the body designated preferentially for matters of violence against women, other sections of the Provincial Court of Barcelona may continue to hear these cases if procedural circumstances or workload require it. The jurisdiction of the other sections is not eliminated.
What legal basis supports this specialization?
The specialization is supported by articles 80.3, 82 and 82 bis 2 of Organic Law 6/1985, of July 1, of the Judicial Power. The section was formally created through Royal Decree 559/2026.
Does this measure affect the Courts of Violence against Women in Barcelona?
Not directly. This measure affects only the Provincial Court of Barcelona, which is the second instance body. The Courts of Violence against Women, which hear cases in first instance, are not modified by this agreement.
What should lawyers with active cases in the Provincial Court of Barcelona do?
They should verify the procedural status of their matters of violence against women and, from December 31, 2026, direct their documents to the 23rd Section as the specialized body of reference. It is also advisable to adapt the argumentative strategy to a body with greater technical specialization in this matter.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-19904
