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Judicial staffing shortages in Spain and Chile

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-24 11:25 UTC → 2026-08-25 09:45 UTC · added removed

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; the service grew from just three lawyers to over thirty professionals following cases. Following urgent requests for reinforcement from the Ministry Spanish government to the General Council of Justice. This follows previous efforts the Judiciary (CGPJ) regarding workloads caused by a migration influx in late July, the Ministry High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) has implemented reinforcement measures. These include establishing a system to prepare budgets ensure two duty judges are always available in the judicial district for urgent proceedings and authorize additional staff to manage workloads related opening a service commission to reinforce the migration crisis, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. court specialized in violence against women to prevent judicial backlogs in sensitive cases.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-25 09:45 UTC Judicial staffing shortages in Spain and Chile
  2. 2026-08-24 11:25 UTC Judicial staffing shortages in Spain and Chile
  3. 2026-08-24 10:54 UTC Judicial staffing shortages in Spain and Chile

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