Judicial services in Chile and Spain face staffing crises

Legal services in Chile and Spain are facing significant operational strain due to staffing shortages and increased demand.

In Chile, the National Federation of Access to Justice (FENADAJ) has warned that vacancies within the Judicial Assistance Corporations (CAJ) are hindering the ability to respond to legal needs. FENADAJ reports that 681 officials are working under 40-hour weeks, leaving a deficit of over 41,000 weekly hours. This shortage coincides with a projected rise in legal demand, which is expected to reach 7.64 million people by 2026. The organization has called on the Ministry of Justice to prioritize filling these positions.

In Spain, the Progressive Union of Prosecutors (UPF) has requested urgent reinforcement for the Prosecutor's Office in Ceuta. The office currently operates with only eight prosecutors, a number deemed insufficient to manage the workload caused by the migration crisis. The UPF noted that on certain days, approximately 200 interviews are conducted to determine the age of minors. The association is calling on the Ministry of Justice to provide more resources, including a permanent interpretation service to handle the high volume of proceedings related to migration, human trafficking, and gender-based violence.