Bucharest judge docked 10% salary for three months over hundreds of undelivered rulings

A judge from Bucharest's Sector 2 Court has received a significant disciplinary sanction, facing a 10% reduction in her gross monthly salary for three months. The decision stems from her failure to draft over 300 court rulings within the legally prescribed deadlines.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) definitively rejected the appeal filed by Judge Anca Maria Pena against the ruling issued by the Superior Council of Magistracy's disciplinary board. The court found that Pena's consistent and progressive delays in writing judgments were imputable to her and not justified by objective or excusable causes.

The ICCJ emphasized that the sanction serves to highlight the negative consequences of a flawed work ethic. This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding professional standards and ensuring that magistrates diligently fulfill their duties. The case highlights a broader issue, as a 2025 report indicated numerous judges were delaying thousands of rulings, obstructing the judicial process.