Chilean Supreme Court removes 11 judges for medical leave abuse

The Supreme Court of Chile has removed 11 judges from their positions following investigations into the irregular use of medical leave. The disciplinary process revealed that several magistrates traveled abroad while on medical leave, violating standards of probity.

During the deliberation of dozens of cases, the court applied Article 80 of the Constitution to justify the removals. The decision was split: 15 judges were removed by majority vote, while 7 cases failed to reach the required 11-vote quorum and 4 resulted in a tie. The affected individuals are first-instance judges; no ministers from the courts of appeals were removed.

Supreme Court President Gloria Ana Chevesich noted that the court applied the principle of proportionality in its decisions. The sanctioned judges are suspended from their duties pending the final notification of the resolutions. Meanwhile, approximately 20 judges have appealed their removal cases to the Constitutional Court.