The Spanish government has approved an urgent processing of two royal decrees during a recent Council of Ministers meeting, which will lead to the creation of 700 new judicial and fiscal positions by 2027. The first decree will establish 500 new judges' positions, marking a 7.8% increase in the judicial workforce. The second decree will create 200 new prosecutor roles, increasing the current staff of the Public Prosecutor's Office by 6.6%.
In the Principality of Asturias, the government will add eight judges' positions, representing a 4.8% increase from the current staffing levels, along with three new prosecutor roles, which equates to a 5.3% increase. Over the past two years, 16 judicial positions have already been created in the region, reflecting a 10.1% rise.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to transform the Spanish justice system, led by the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes. The reforms encompass procedural, organisational, and digital changes designed to equip the public service with the necessary tools to tackle current and future challenges.
Judicial expansion in Asturias
The judicial workforce in Asturias will see an increase of 4.8%. Of the eight new judicial positions, two will be allocated to the Provincial Courts of Oviedo and Gijón, while five will be assigned to the Courts of First Instance in these two cities and Mieres. Additionally, one position will be designated as territorial assignment, allowing the corresponding High Court of Justice to allocate it based on the needs of the judicial administration.
New judges across Spain
Of the 500 new judges' positions created for Spain, 172 will strengthen civil jurisdiction, 109 will focus on social matters, and 69 will be dedicated to criminal cases. Furthermore, 87 positions will be allocated to mixed bodies (Provincial Courts and Courts of First Instance) in smaller provinces and towns, while 42 will be designated for territorial assignment, adaptable based on workload changes. Notably, 11 new positions will be created for sections dealing with Violence against Women, reflecting a significant 55.4% increase in this area, from 121 to 188 positions. Additionally, six positions will bolster the sections addressing Violence against Children and Adolescents.
In a novel development, eight positions will be created for new Presidents of Courts of First Instance, which have been established in major Spanish cities to focus exclusively on unifying criteria, coordination, and organisation. This initiative will also extend to regions such as Murcia, Almería, Córdoba, Granada, A Coruña, Vigo, Santander, and Valladolid. Lastly, four positions will be added in the National Court, contributing to the overall 7.8% increase in the judicial workforce.
Growth of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Asturias
The addition of three new prosecutor positions in Asturias will lead to a 5.3% growth in the Public Prosecutor's Office, increasing its staff from 56 to 59 members. In total, 200 new prosecutor positions will be distributed across all autonomous communities and central bodies. The allocation of these new judicial and fiscal roles has been based on objective criteria, including workload, litigation rates, and population. The Ministry will consult with the General Council of the Judiciary, the Public Prosecutor's Office, autonomous communities with transferred competencies, and higher courts to gather their proposals and feedback.
