Legal systems in the Netherlands and UK face critical shortages and delays

In the Netherlands, the Dutch Bar Association (NOvA) has warned that a shortage of social lawyers is threatening access to justice. The deficit is most acute in areas such as family law, social security, and rental law. Approximately 2,500 social lawyers are expected to retire over the next decade, representing about 30 percent of the total workforce, while new recruitment is not keeping pace.

While the Dutch government has announced a structural annual investment of 10 million euros in the legal aid system, the NOvA maintains that more comprehensive measures are required to secure the future of the profession. Without intervention, individuals facing complex legal issues with municipalities, social security agencies, or landlords may struggle to find representation.

In the United Kingdom, the government is introducing measures to address severe delays in rape cases. Victims currently face average wait times of 424 days, with some cases exceeding 1,000 days. Proposed reforms include providing dedicated courtrooms and separate entrances to prevent victims from encountering defendants, as well as allowing testimony via video link.

The UK justice system is currently managing a backlog of approximately 80,000 cases due to strikes and staffing shortages, with nearly one-fifth involving sexual violence. The new policy aims to prioritize these cases by assigning them fixed dates to reduce traumatic postponements.