A call to action from the Community of Madrid
The situation of the judicial system in the Community of Madrid has reached a critical point, prompting regional authorities to request immediate intervention from the central Government. In a recently presented report, the Ministry of Presidency, Justice and Local Administration has requested the creation of 500 new positions for judges and over 2,400 officials to ensure the proper functioning of public service.
The councillor Miguel Ángel García Martín, during a press conference, highlighted that the current allocation of resources is insufficient and warned about the consequences this has for access to justice. According to the data presented, Madrid currently has 732 judges and magistrates, which translates to a ratio of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants; figures that are below both the national average (11.9) and the European average (17.4).
The report also supports the demands of the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM), which has requested to fill 142 vacant positions. Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 350 additional positions will be needed in the next five years to address the growing deficit.
Apart from the limited number of judges, administrative staff also faces significant challenges. Currently, there are 7,811 employees, but only a portion are permanent officials; approximately 3,090 are temporary. In the last two years, 454 workers have retired, and with an average age of over 50 among active staff, an additional increase in retirements is expected.
To address this crisis, the report urges the relevant Ministry to eliminate the replacement rate and allocate at least 800 annual positions over the next three years in public employment offers. This measure could significantly reduce the current temporary rate of 38.6% to 8%, aligning with what is stipulated in Law 20/2021.
Despite the complicated context, since the beginning of 2024, 1,350 temporary officials have already been hired. Since last year, 326 new positions have also been created, covering critical areas such as the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences and various judicial offices.
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