NEW COURT UNDER STUDY

The regional government's Minister for Justice says the Junta de Andalucía is studying a site in Las Mesas district which has been proposed by Estepona council for the town's new court complex. The project will include eight courts and various legal offices, but no date has yet been suggested for it to be carried out nor have the costs been revealed. The minister, María José López, says Estepona will be a large town in the future and it is important to be prepared for this.

NEW HOTEL REGULATIONS

Edition: 325
Date: 02-06-03

A new law is being drawn up which is expected to come into force in September and which will have repercussions on hotel construction on the Costa del Sol. The law, which at present is in draft form, will mean that hotels can no longer be built in heavily-populated areas, and the establishments will have to comply with strict environmental and energy regulations and will have to pass a quality examination every five years to guarantee their category and level of service.

FOREIGNERS LAW REFORMED FOR THE THIRD TIME

Edition: 324
Date: 26-05-03

Spanish Interior Minister Ángel Acebes said last week that the government has no intention of using information from Town Hall population register to track down illegal immigrants. His comments came after announcing that the Council of Ministers had approved the third reform of the Foreigners Law, one of whose objectives is to allow the ‘padrón’ to be used for information to help control foreigners who are living here without the correct documentation. This announcement created alarm among immigrant organisations, and the UGT union believes the move will stop immigrants registering at the Town Hall, which will prevent them benefiting from health and social services. Under the new regulations foreigners will have to re-register on the ‘padrón’ every two years instead of every five years as at present, and will have to present their passport or Spanish residence permit. This is already a legal requirement, but the Ministry is aware that many immigrants fail to comply with it.