Judiciary declares emergency to appoint temporary judges

The Judiciary Council (CJ) in Ecuador has declared an emergency across all judicial bodies to combat a significant deficit of judges nationwide. This urgent measure, adopted during ordinary session Nro. 095-2026 on Monday, July 14, 2026, seeks to guarantee the uninterrupted delivery of justice services by appointing temporary judges.

The council has approved exceptional internal procedures for the selection and temporary appointment of judges for Criminal Guarantees Tribunals and Provincial Justice Courts. This also includes temporary associate judges for the National Court of Justice. These measures are intended to fill existing vacancies swiftly while permanent judicial appointments proceed through public конкурсы.

Technical and legal reports cited by the CJ highlight that the judge shortage has led to considerable delays in case processing, failed or postponed hearings, difficulties in forming tribunals, and an increased workload in judicial offices. The emergency declaration and the implementation of exceptional selection mechanisms are designed to bolster the operational capacity of judicial bodies.

The National Directorate of Human Talent is tasked with initiating the necessary technical, administrative, and technological steps to fill these vacancies. A methodology for selecting temporary judges in various judicial units, including administrative and tax contentious areas, must be presented within ten days. CJ President Mercedes Caicedo Aldaz stressed that temporary judges must exercise their functions with judicial independence and commitment, stating, "Temporality cannot be an excuse for failing in your role. This country does not deserve fly-by-night judges."

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Temporality cannot be an excuse for failing in your role. This country does not deserve fly-by-night judges.