topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2135.35 0.75
DAX 6386.58 0.74
IBEX 30 6516.3 -0.41
CAC 40 3077.17 0.96
FTSE 100 5402.24 0.95
AEX 295.54 0.95
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13213.57 0.45
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4120.2 0.96
Hang seng 18800.99 0.47
Straits Times 2787.22 0.52
ISEQ 20 503.36 0.48
You are here: Home News Spanish News Spanish judges strike to demand reforms

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


18/02/2009Spanish judges strike to demand reforms

Around 1,500 judges staged an unprecedented strike to demand more resources for the country’s judicial system.

MADRID – Judges in Spain staged an unprecedented strike on Wednesday to demand more resources for the country's overburdened judicial system, judicial associations said.

Around 1,500 judges observed the protest at around midday, or more than one third of 4,400 throughout the country, according to figures supplied by the associations, which have pledged to maintain a minimum service.

The judges are demanding a 3.0 percent annual hike in the budget for the sector over five years, compared to the 1.0 percent planned by the Socialist government, the creation of 1,200 new positions and a plan to modernise the computer system.

The body that oversees the judiciary, the CGPJ, declared the first national strike by judges to be illegal but declined to take any measures to prevent it.

Justice Minister Mariano Fernandez Bermejo condemned the attitude of a "minority" of judges.

But in an address to parliament Wednesday, he confirmed plans to modernise the judicial system, which is "30 years behind" in terms of investment.

The justice spokesman for the conservative opposition Popular Party, Federico Trillo, condemned the "gigantic backlog" in the courts where more than two million cases are pending with an insufficient number of judges to handle them.

Last October, Spanish court staff went on strike after a judge and a court official were punished for failing to send to prison a convicted paedophile who later allegedly killed a five-year-old girl.

Unions at the time said that action was needed to draw attention to a lack of resources at courts which they have blamed for the error which let the man remain at large.

[AFP / Expatica]


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Technology in Spain

Sat phones/internet links

English in Spain

What is the best travel insurance cover to Spain?

American in Spain

U.S. citizens, plan to vote in 2012? Did you know...

Relocation to Spain

thinking of moving to madrid

Jobs in Spain

Job Agencies or how to find work.

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.