Slovenia tops Europe in the number of judges but is far from the top in speed, efficiency and trust in the judiciary

Slovenia holds the second-highest number of judges per capita in the European Union, according to data released by Eurostat, yet its judicial system lags behind in efficiency, speed, and public trust. The statistics show that Slovenia has 40.2 judges per 100,000 inhabitants, placing it just behind Croatia with 43.3 and ahead of Luxembourg with 36. This figure far exceeds the EU average of 15.7 judges per 100,000 residents recorded in 2024, compared to 17.7 in 2014. However, despite this high number, concerns remain over whether the judiciary is adequately adapted to modern demands and societal expectations. The data was published around International Day of Justice, observed annually on July 17, which marks the establishment of the International Criminal Court under the Rome Statute in 1998. The figures highlight a gender imbalance within the judiciary, with Slovenia leading the EU in female representation among judges at 81.4 percent. Latvia follows with 79.7 percent, and Greece with 75.5 percent. In contrast, Ireland has the lowest proportion of female judges, with 56.4 percent women versus 43.6 percent men. Despite having one of the highest numbers of judges per capita, Slovenia's judicial system faces challenges related to efficiency and effectiveness. While the country boasts a large number of legal professionals, the system often appears bogged down by procedural delays, ideological burdens, and preconceived notions about the role of judges. These factors contribute to a perception of inefficiency, even though the sheer volume of personnel might suggest otherwise. The issue extends beyond mere numbers. Different countries have varying legal systems, organizational structures, jurisdictional scopes, and methods of case handling. Therefore, comparing judge-to-population ratios alone does not provide sufficient evidence of a nation’s judicial performance. Effective systems can function well with different staffing models if they are appropriately organized, equipped with digital tools, and managed efficiently. According to reports from the Council of Europe’s Committee on the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), Slovenia had approximately 40.8 judges per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the EU average of 24.1. Additionally, Slovenia had roughly 4.02 support staff members per judge, indicating that the challenge lies not only in quantity but also in how effectively the judiciary is organized and supported. Efficiency in the judicial process involves measuring the duration of court proceedings, the number of unresolved cases, the resolution rate per judge, the time taken to resolve specific types of cases, and the quality and consistency of judicial decisions. Despite having a high number of judges, Slovenia continues to face issues with prolonged procedures and unresolved cases, suggesting that the high cadres of judges do not necessarily translate into better outcomes. The discrepancy between the number of judges and the perceived inefficiency raises critical questions about the organization of the entire judiciary. It prompts discussions on how the work of judges is measured and why such a high cadre count does not yield proportionally better results. The key concern shifts from merely counting the number of judges to evaluating the overall effectiveness of the judicial system. Public confidence in the judiciary remains a pressing issue. While Slovenia has made strides in increasing the number of judges and improving gender balance, these achievements do not automatically translate into greater public trust or faster justice delivery. The challenge now lies in addressing systemic inefficiencies and ensuring that the high number of judges contributes meaningfully to the functioning of the legal system.