The Generalitat de Catalunya awards Josep Maria Vallès the 2023 Justice Award

Josep Maria Vallès was Catalan Minister of Justice between 2003 and 2006, under the government of President Pasqual Maragall. The Generalitat underlined his "fundamental role" in the "comprehensive planning and promotion of the construction of judicial and penitentiary facilities, providing a substantial modernisation of the country's justice administration and penal execution infrastructures". Vallès laid the foundations for the creation of the five large new penitentiary centres - also establishing an innovative framework for dialogue and negotiation with the local regions - and the construction and renovation of twenty-six judicial buildings.

In addition, he promoted the drafting of the Llibre verd de l'administració de justícia [Green Book of the Justice Administration], a compilation of challenges and reflections that introduced a strategic view in the definition of the public policies of the Ministry for Justice, Rights and Memory. The Generalitat also highlights his contribution in the field of juvenile justice, the deployment of the judicial office, the codification of Catalan civil law, the strengthening of rehabilitation policies, and the new regulation of professional groups and foundations.

Apart from being rector of the UAB, Vallès was the first Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology (1986-1990). He was also a member of Parliament, member of the Barcelona Bar Association, president of the Spanish Association of Political Science and Administration, director of the School of Public Administration of Catalonia, and president of the Catalan Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies.