AJFV warns that a third of the judges will have retired in ten years and calls for a "strategic plan" from the Government

Emphasizes that the problem is not one of investment, but of managing resources well

MADRID, 7 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Francisco de Vitoria Judicial Association (AJFV) has released a study in which it warns that between 2022 and 2031, 1,764 judges will retire, that is, 33% of the judiciary. Given this, the solution is, in his view, for the Government to make a "strategic plan to modify and update the current Justice to the 21st century and not the 19th, which currently exists."

In statements to Europa Press, Sergio Oliva, a member of the national committee of this association, also emphasizes the "high" litigation caused by the pandemic and the current economic crisis. If this is added to the lack of judges, "the perfect cocktail is produced for the Administration of Justice to explode."

According to the study, in the next ten years 1,243 judges are going to turn 70, the compulsory age for their retirement, although they can do so at 65 or request an extension to retire at 72.

The 1,243 judges who will turn 70 until 2031 represent 23% of the judicial career. However, if early retirements are taken into account, AJFV raises the percentage to 33%.

The study, to which this news agency has had access, explains that in 2022, 39 judges have retired early: 26 have done so voluntarily, ten due to absolute permanent disability and three due to total permanent disability.

According to the member of AJFV, "money is needed to be able to increase the number of judges and invest in the creation of judicial bodies", but the investment "only does not work": "Spain is one of the countries that spends the most on Justice in the Union European Union and yet the reality is that we are collapsed, it is not well invested".

Oliva emphasizes that Spain, despite being one of the countries that invests the most in Justice at a European level, is one of the countries with the fewest judges per 100,000 inhabitants: 11, compared to the 17 average.

Asked if the decrease in judges affects all of Justice equally, Oliva assures that the collapse occurs in the first echelon, in the courts of first instance and instruction of all jurisdictions, as well as in the Supreme Court, in this case for the "non-renewal" of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ).

And remember that, as long as the CGPJ is not renewed and given the "numerous positions to be filled", the highest positions are going to retire, there will be more vacancies and more delays in the resolution.

"The current government or the one that comes in the next elections has to make a firm commitment to the Administration of Justice, which is the eternally forgotten of our legal system," appeals Oliva, while demanding more personal and material resources, which which implies a bet "for the future, not short-term".