Significant delays in ‘quick trials’ in Barcelona courts

by Else BeekmanElse Beekman
quick trials

The ‘quick trials’ in Barcelona, intended for swift justice, are facing major delays. These trials, which should legally occur within 15 days, are now being scheduled for 2026 due to heavy caseloads.

Cristina Ferrando, the dean of judges in Barcelona, highlighted the overburdened state of the courts in an interview with El País. She stressed the need for new courts to handle the increasing number of cases efficiently.

Need for additional courts

The number of cases surged by 20,000 in 2023 compared to the previous year, exacerbating the delays. Ferrando estimates that Barcelona needs 60 new courts to manage the caseload effectively. Realistically, she suggests starting with the creation of six courts, including two criminal courts, an enforcement court, two first-instance courts, a social court, and a bankruptcy court.

Challenges from repeat offenders

Repeat offenders pose a significant challenge. Recent legal changes now require preliminary investigations and assessments of stolen goods’ value before determining if a quick trial is feasible. This complicates the process, often necessitating standard trials instead.

Current court operations

Barcelona currently holds around 48 quick trials for minor offenses daily. Four additional judges handling criminal cases deliver over 2,000 quick verdicts annually. However, the rising number of cases continues to outpace these efforts, resulting in persistent delays.

Overloaded first-instance courts

The first-instance courts in Barcelona receive a workload far exceeding their capacity. Despite the addition of five judges to the existing 50, Ferrando argues that 23 new courts are required to address the issue adequately.

The situation underscores the urgent need for more judicial resources to ensure timely justice and manage the increasing volume of legal cases in Barcelona.

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