100100 dossiers à la fois100: la justice lutte contre l'effondrement

The Austrian judiciary is facing a severe overload, with court officials working under immense pressure to handle up to 100 cases simultaneously. In the historic halls of the District Court in St. Pölten, judges are struggling to keep pace with the growing number of legal proceedings, ranging from criminal trials to civil disputes, social law matters, and compensation claims. Despite the high volume of work, the system is buckling under the strain, with many judicial staff reporting increased stress and health issues. Judiciary officials have long warned of the consequences of chronic understaffing. According to figures released by the Judicial Association, approximately 220 judges are currently missing across Austria. While this number might seem relatively small compared to the total of around 1,600 judges nationwide, its impact is profound. The workload has reached unsustainable levels, exacerbated by the need for extensive behind-the-scenes preparation, including procedural decisions and the calculation of expert fees. These administrative tasks consume significant time, further stretching already limited resources. Marion Fischer, a judge who has worked in the justice sector for three decades, described the current situation as “extremely tense.” She noted that while she had previously believed the crisis could not worsen, the reality is far more dire. Fischer, who serves as deputy chair of the public service union GÖD (Landes-Sektion 23), emphasized that the problem lies not just in the sheer volume of work but in the emotional toll on staff. “We are handling up to 100 files at once,” she explained. “This isn’t due to the nature of our work itself, but rather because we feel unable to meet the expectations placed upon us.” The situation has led to increasingly long waiting times for court hearings. Fischer pointed out that delays can stretch to six months between sessions, prompting frustration among citizens. “People say, ‘That can’t be right,’ and they’re right,” she added. The lack of resolution is particularly troubling given the ongoing budget constraints. Despite the overwhelming workload, there will be no additional positions allocated for judges or prosecutors in the upcoming fiscal years. Fischer suggested alternative measures that could alleviate some of the burden. She argued that increasing the number of legal assistants, known as kanzleikräfte, could help. These support staff cost significantly less than academic professionals and can take on routine tasks, thereby saving time and reducing pressure on senior judges. “A more cost-effective approach would be to expand the ranks of these assistants,” she proposed. In response to the growing concerns, the Ministry of Justice has announced plans to address the issue through targeted efforts aimed at streamlining processes and improving task distribution within courts and prosecution offices. It also highlighted the importance of digitalization in reducing administrative burdens. However, the ministry acknowledged that these steps would not fully offset the need for additional personnel. “While these measures may provide some relief, they won’t completely resolve the underlying challenges,” the statement read. Meanwhile, judicial workers are preparing for a week-long protest action scheduled from October 12 to 16. During this period, instead of conducting court sessions, they will hold informational meetings to raise awareness about the deteriorating conditions. This initiative reflects the deepening divide between the government’s stance and the demands of frontline workers, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.