Squeezing Aid for Judicial System: States Demand Federal Assistance
Gathering of Ministers of Justice: Nations Anticipate Alleviation - Gathering of Justice Ministers: Nations Anticipate Alleviation
Hey there! Let's chat about the Federal Justice Ministers' Conference and the pressing need for federal aid in maintaining a functional justice system across the nation. Saxony's justice minister, Constanze Geiert (CDU), has shared her concerns, echoing that the situation is grim: "By 2030, up to half of our judges and public prosecutors in Saxony could be retiring. We're not just talking about Saxony here - we're a federal state that bears the brunt of external border issues, and human trafficking is no exception," she stated.
The new Federal Justice Minister, Stefanie Hubig (SPD), has proposed a "Pact for the Rule of Law" with the states. "The states require structural reinforcements, such as digitization and personnel resources, in addition to finding effective ways to provide this support,” she declared in the Bundestag. Geiert sees this pact as a pressing matter that needs immediate attention. She is looking forward to discussing this pact, along with other critical issues, at a tête-à-tête with Hubig and her state colleagues at the Federal Justice Ministers' Conference in Bad Schandau.
Typical topics of the conference include:
- Digital transformation of the judicial system
- Accelerating asylum court proceedings
- Introducing reforms to the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC)
- Equipping law enforcement agencies with efficient investigative powers
- Improving domestic and child abuse protection measures
- Updating criminal laws
- Recognizing femicides in the Criminal Code
- Removing bottlenecks in procedural laws reforms and boosting judicial efficiency
- Empowering lay judges with improved protection measures (Based on a Saxon initiative)
Geiert expressed, "Our primary objective in Bad Schandau will be to brainstorm ways to increase efficiency, particularly within the CPC, to alleviate the burden on courts and public prosecutors' offices. Ultimately, our goal should be to improve the system and provide relief to the justice sector."
The conference coincides with the commencement of the new federal government. Geiert believes this presents an opportune moment for collaboration between state justice ministers and the new federal justice minister, setting the stage for overcoming the challenges facing legal policy and the judiciary.
"I anticipate positive outcomes from the new federal government, subsequent improvement in the justice system, and fortified rule of law and digitization as a result," Geiert expressed. However, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts within the federal government and the states, she adds, "My hope is that the Federal Justice Ministers' Conference will serve as the foundation for constructive, cooperative relationships, ultimately leading to a stronger, more efficient justice system."
In light of the upcoming Federal Justice Ministers' Conference, there is a strong need for collaboration between the federal government and EC countries to address issues such as policy-and-legislation regarding vocational training for future judges and public prosecutors, especially given the looming retirement crisis by 2030. As Geiert states, "Our primary objective in Bad Schandau will be to brainstorm ways to increase efficiency, particularly within the vocational training process for our justice system, to alleviate the burden on courts and public prosecutors' offices." Additionally, the conference could serve as a platform for discussing and implementing reforms to the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), which could include vocational training initiatives for lay judges, ultimately leading to a stronger, more efficient justice system.
