Romanian justice system faces collapse, CSM urges urgent government action

Romania's Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) has issued its seventh public appeal this year to the government and the Ministry of Justice, demanding concrete actions to avert a systemic collapse within the country's justice system. The council cited a severe shortage of judges and court clerks as a primary driver of the crisis.

The CSM is particularly concerned about the suspension of direct entry competitions for judicial positions, which has halted the recruitment of new judges and prosecutors. The council noted that over 800 judge positions are currently vacant, contributing to a nearly 16% deficit in magistrates. Furthermore, the need for court clerks is acute, with a shortfall of 4874 positions despite promises to allocate at least 600 over six years. The CSM also proposed creating 712 assistant judge positions to ensure an optimal ratio of one assistant per three judges.

"The executive power destabilizes the judicial power by blocking the possibility of recruiting the necessary personnel," the CSM stated in a press release. The council pointed out that the last direct entry competition was initiated on July 25, 2024, but legislative changes in the past two years have eliminated the possibility of direct recruitment. The CSM's memorandum to unblock these competitions, sent on April 29, 2026, has reportedly been refused by the government.

Romania faces a critical situation, leading the European Union in the number of registered court cases, with approximately 2.4 million cases currently active. This volume has increased by 11% compared to the same period last year. The CSM attributes this strain, in part, to "irresponsible public policies" by the government, which hinder the judiciary's ability to function effectively and manage the growing caseload.

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The executive power destabilizes the judicial power by blocking the possibility of recruiting the necessary personnel