# Romanian magistrate salary dispute with government

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/romanian-magistrate-salary-dispute-with-government
> Updated: 2026-09-23T04:12:14.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3.

The Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice (ÎCCJ) is preparing to issue a definitive ruling in a legal dispute with the Romanian Government and the Ministry of Finance regarding approximately 5 billion lei in unpaid salary arrears for magistrates. These arrears stem from retroactive salary increases mandated by previous court decisions.

The ÎCCJ, represented by court president Lia Savonea, contends that the government’s failure to settle these debts violates the property rights of judges and undermines the principle of the separation of powers. The court has previously ordered the executive to settle these debts, potentially through budget rectification.

To avoid non-compliance, the court has established penalties including a 1% daily penalty and a fine equivalent to 20% of the national minimum gross wage for each day of delay following a final decision. The government has challenged the court’s authority to mandate budgetary allocations, seeking the involvement of the Constitutional Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union to resolve the conflict.

In a recent development, the Constitutional Court of Romania has begun reviewing the dispute regarding financial matters related to the magistrate salary arrears. This review is part of a broader examination of legal conflicts involving the Government, Parliament, and the High Court.

## Claims

- Sorin Grindeanu requested the Constitutional Court to determine if a constitutional legal conflict exists between the Parliament and the Government. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The legal conflict was triggered by the adoption and publication of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 38/2026 regarding the SAFE Program. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Government was allegedly only authorized to perform acts of current administration following a motion of censure on May 5, 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Constitutional Court of Romania is reviewing two major legal conflicts involving the Government, Parliament, and the High Court of Cassation and Justice. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- One of the disputes under review concerns financial arrears regarding magistrates' salaries. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Romania's Constitutional Court reviews Government-Parliament legal conflicts

The Constitutional Court of Romania is reviewing legal conflicts between the Government and Parliament regarding the SAFE Program ordinance and magistrate salary arrears.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanias-constitutional-court-reviews-government-parliament-legal-conflicts

### 2026-09-15: High Court of Cassation and Justice to rule on magistrate salary arrears

The Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice is set to rule on a 5 billion lei dispute with the Government regarding unpaid salary arrears for magistrates.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/high-court-of-cassation-and-justice-to-rule-on-magistrate-salary-arrears-1

### 2026-09-03: ÎCCJ to rule on 5 billion lei magistrate salary dispute with Romanian Government

Romania's High Court is set to rule on a 5 billion lei dispute with the Government regarding unpaid salary arrears for magistrates.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/high-court-of-cassation-and-justice-to-rule-on-magistrate-salary-arrears

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Cite as: Romanian magistrate salary dispute with government. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/romanian-magistrate-salary-dispute-with-government