Judicial staffing shortages in Spain and Chile

Judicial services in Spain and Chile have faced operational strain due to significant staffing shortages and rising demand. In Chile, the National Federation of Access to Justice (FENADAJ) reported a deficit of over 41,000 weekly hours due to vacancies within Judicial Assistance Corporations, warning that the shortage hinders the ability to meet projected legal needs.

In Spain, the legal aid system (Turno de Oficio) is experiencing a systemic crisis characterized by a nationwide decline in participating lawyers. The Consejo General de la Abogacía Española reported that since 2020, the country has lost over 6,400 lawyers from the legal aid system, representing a 14.1% decrease. In regions such as Extremadura, professionals have cited increasing workloads and insufficient remuneration as primary drivers of this shortage. Projections indicate that if current trends persist, the average caseload per lawyer could rise from 28 cases in 2025 to approximately 45 by 2030.

Regional pressures continue to impact specific areas. In Ceuta, the legal aid service has undergone rapid expansion to manage an influx of immigration-related cases. Following urgent requests from the Spanish government to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) regarding workloads caused by a migration influx in late July, the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) has implemented reinforcement measures. These include establishing a system to ensure two duty judges are always available in the judicial district for urgent proceedings and opening a service commission to reinforce the court specialized in violence against women to prevent judicial backlogs in sensitive cases.