Judicial Authorities in the Canary Islands Sound Alarm Over Court Reform Challenges

Judicial authorities in the Canary Islands are voicing serious concerns regarding the upcoming implementation of significant court reforms that could impact the delivery of justice across the region.

Unified Voice of Concern Among Judicial Leaders

Judges from both Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife have joined forces with over fifty judicial decanates throughout Spain to issue a national statement. This important communiqué highlights the critical shortage of resources and inadequate planning necessary for the effective establishment of new Trial Courts, which are scheduled to commence operations by December 31, 2025. The head judge of the Central Courts of the National Court has also lent his support to this statement, warning that the current conditions pose a serious threat to the provision of public justice services.

Challenges Posed by Resource Limitations

The statement from judicial leaders emphasizes that judicial offices in the provincial capitals are currently managing the highest volume of litigation in Spain. With less than two months remaining until the reforms are set to take effect, there is a conspicuous lack of both adequate planning and essential resources to ensure seamless operations. Judicial leaders in the Canary Islands resonate with the concerns expressed by their counterparts in other major judicial centers, particularly regarding challenges related to space, staffing, and technological infrastructure. These issues are compounded by the unique geographical and logistical challenges faced by the islands.

Implementation Timeline Raises Red Flags

Judges have voiced their dissatisfaction that, despite the impending enactment of Organic Law 1/2025, the Ministry of Justice has yet to clarify the internal organizational structure for the new Common Services. Moreover, the appointment of directors and area heads responsible for overseeing the transition remains unresolved, leading to further uncertainty. There is also significant disappointment regarding the absence of guarantees for the adaptation of procedural management systems and the reassignment of judicial files by the scheduled date, which could lead to chaos in the courts.

Advocating for a More Measured Approach to Implementation

The document, which has garnered signatures from presiding judges across all provincial capitals, advocates for the government to consider extending deadlines to facilitate a more gradual and orderly implementation, as outlined in the law’s fifth transitional provision. Judicial representatives emphasize the importance of thoroughly evaluating the dysfunctions observed in existing courts before expanding the model to larger urban areas. This is particularly crucial in island territories, where limitations in space and resources further complicate the situation.

The decanates assert that the new judicial model must be rolled out with real guarantees and without compromising public justice services. They caution that hastily attempting to meet the established timeline could lead to operational failures within the courts located on the islands. The potential consequences of such failures could undermine public trust in the judicial system and hinder access to justice for citizens.

Key points

• Judicial leaders in the Canary Islands have united in a national statement expressing serious concerns over the upcoming court reforms.
• The reforms are slated for implementation by December 31, 2025, but there is a significant lack of necessary resources and planning.
• Judicial offices in provincial capitals are currently handling the highest volume of litigation in Spain, raising concerns about their capacity to adapt.
• Uncertainty remains regarding the organizational structure and leadership for the new Common Services, adding to the anxiety surrounding the reforms.
• Judges are advocating for an extension of deadlines to allow for a more gradual and thoughtful implementation process.
• Concerns have been raised about the potential operational collapse of courts if the reforms are rushed, which could severely impact public access to justice.