Call for More Judges in Canary Islands Amid Rising Caseloads
President of the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands, Juan Avello, has called for an urgent increase in the number of judges in the archipelago, particularly highlighting the need for infrastructure improvements in the judicial system of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
During his address to mark the opening of the judicial year, Avello stressed, “We need more judges,” explaining that behind every case is a person awaiting a resolution. He emphasised the importance of providing clear and timely responses rather than simply managing statistics.
Avello pointed out that while the Canary Islands has the highest litigation rate in Spain, it also boasts the highest productivity, with judges in the region delivering more rulings than their counterparts nationwide. He advocated for expanding the number of judicial positions as the most effective way to address the growing demands.
He further noted that the infrastructure issues in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are urgent, impacting both court operations and the people seeking justice. Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in seeing significant progress.
Looking ahead to 2025, Avello mentioned an increase in cases that has led to a high litigation rate and overwhelming workloads for the judicial bodies. He remarked that these figures reflect a well-known reality: litigation is on the rise across nearly all areas of law.
Avello highlighted the unique geographical challenges of the Canary Islands, which require particularly efficient administration of justice, sustained investments, and proper planning of human and material resources. He asserted that all citizens should have equal access to justice, regardless of where they reside.
Challenges: Technological Modernisation and Specialisation
Avello addressed additional challenges facing the judicial system, including the need for technological modernisation. He believes this goes beyond simply replacing paper with electronic documents; it involves redesigning processes to improve efficiency, enhance communication among institutions, and provide more accessible services to the public.
He also identified the increasing complexity of law as a significant challenge, necessitating a judiciary that is better prepared to handle highly technical subjects, from commercial and economic law to cybercrime, domestic violence, child protection, environmental issues, and artificial intelligence.
Another essential point he made was the need to strengthen institutional transparency. An open, comprehensible justice system bolsters public trust in the service provided, particularly when it comes to protecting vulnerable individuals.
Avello concluded that ensuring a basic level of personal and material resources is crucial for the justice system to function effectively and protect citizens’ rights in a timely manner. Along with the demand for efficiency, he stressed the importance of upholding the legitimacy of the judicial system, which is grounded in the independence and responsibility of judges, as stipulated in Article 117 of the Spanish Constitution.
