Croatia braces for major judicial overhaul, needing at least 254 new judges

Croatia's judiciary is on the brink of a generational shift, with Justice Minister Damir Habijan signaling an urgent need for new legal talent. Habijan stated that the country will soon face a "huge problem" with an insufficient number of judges, despite currently ranking second in the EU for judges per capita behind Greece, with 42 judges per 100,000 inhabitants.

The minister expressed optimism that better material conditions and salaries within the judiciary will help attract "fresh blood" and a "quality structure of people." This initiative aims to address the growing backlog of cases and ensure the regular functioning of the courts, a task that requires a substantial influx of new judicial officers.

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We will soon have a huge problem with too few judges. I think both material conditions and salaries for judicial officials are at a better level now, and we hope to attract new blood, which we desperately need, but above all, I mean a quality structure of people.

Habijan's remarks, made during an interview with N1, suggest a proactive approach to reforming the judicial system. The plan involves recruiting at least 254 new judges, a move described as the largest "overhaul" of the Croatian judiciary since the 1990s. This significant recruitment drive is intended to revitalize the system and improve its efficiency.

The focus is not only on increasing the number of judges but also on ensuring their quality and competence. The ministry believes that by improving the overall attractiveness of judicial careers, Croatia can secure the necessary legal expertise to tackle its judicial challenges effectively. The success of this plan is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring timely justice.

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We have the most judges, and he says we will have a problem with too few judges?!