Castilla-La Mancha High Court warns of rising judicial backlog

During the opening of the judicial year in Albacete, the High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha (TSJCLM) presented its 2025 judicial report, highlighting a growing structural deficit in the region's justice system.

President Pilar Astray reported that while courts resolved 264,952 cases, the number of pending matters rose by 4.6% to reach 220,858. Astray emphasized that the issue is not a lack of judicial productivity—noting an average of nearly three resolutions per day—but rather an insufficient number of staff and resources. The TSJCLM is urgently requesting 42 additional judicial positions to address shortages in provincial courts and specific municipalities like Tomelloso, which faces an extreme workload in civil and criminal matters.

Additionally, Chief Prosecutor Emilio Fernández warned of a rising trend in drug trafficking within the region, noting that types of drug-related procedures previously unseen in Castilla-La Mancha are now appearing. He also highlighted concerns regarding juvenile delinquency, domestic violence, and the rise of cybercrimes, which now account for 20% of reported crimes.