The Connecticut Judicial Branch will dedicate a new courthouse on Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, for family matters and other non-jury cases at 90 Washington St. in Hartford. The dedication of the renovated building will start at 11:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1B.

Speakers will include: Chief Justice William J. Sullivan, Chief Court Administrator Joseph H. Pellegrino, state Department of Public Works Commissioner James T. Fleming, and Hartford Judicial District Administrative Judge Robert E. Beach Jr.

Ten courtrooms are in the building, which has four floors and is 79,097 square feet. The building will alleviate overcrowding at the Judicial District Courthouse at 95 Washington St., and all family and family support magistrate matters for the Hartford Judicial District will be handled at 90 Washington St. effective Jan.18, 2005. Offices for Judicial Branch administrative staff also are in the building.

The Judicial Branch began occupancy of the building in November and will complete the move in mid-January. The lease-purchase agreement for the building calls for a 15-year term, after which the state will own the facility.