Themis building
The Themis building at the Court of Justice of the European Union is named after Themis, the Greek goddess of Justice and symbol of law, balance and judicial authority, as well as the inspiration for the Court’s logo since 1952. The building, originally known as Annexe C, was inaugurated in 1994 and now houses the General Court’s Judges, their chambers, and its Main Courtroom.
Who was Themis?
Daughter of Uranus and Gaia, who represent respectively the sky and the earth, Themis is considered in Greek mythology to be the goddess of Justice. Wife and advisor to Zeus, she sits at his right hand and helps to maintain the established order. An allegory for all-pervasive justice, Themis is generally depicted with her symbols – scales and a sword – and also at times with a blindfold as a sign of impartiality. The scales, which symbolise social order, balance and harmony, are a counterpoint to the sword, which represents the judicial sentence and judicial authority and which, owing to the double-edged blade that may punish each party, makes her decisions enforceable. Themis has thus become the universal image of Justice.
The Themis building and its role at the Court
The name “Themis” echoes the decision of the first Members of the Court of Justice of the European Union when creating the Court’s seal. Drawing on their common cultural traditions, these Members incorporated the scales and sword of Themis into the logo of the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952.
The building, the third and final extension of the first series of extensions to the Palais, was inaugurated in 1994. Unlike previous extensions, it was initially unnamed and would spend more than 25 years as the humble Annexe C before being named “Themis” in 2022.
With its cubic design, the building completes the row of structures below the Palais. Its southern façade features a semi-circular rotunda housing the conference room behind the General Court’s Main Courtroom. Like the Erasmus and Thomas More buildings, the Themis façade is made of granite and glazed aluminium, with a colonnade of pink granite.
In addition to the General Court’s Main Courtroom, Themis is home to the Judges of the General Court and their chambers.
