Andorran Businessman Appeals Child Support Sentence Citing Income Drop to €600/Month and €22,000 Debts

An Andorran businessman sentenced to five months' conditional prison for repeated failure to pay €450 monthly child support has appealed the Tribunal de Corts decision before the Tribunal Superior de Justícia, arguing severe financial hardship prevented compliance since the obligation began in July 2017.

In Wednesday's appeal hearing, the defence maintained that the original court erred in assessing the timeline of the man's finances. They stressed that high earnings above €5,000 monthly, a €593,000 property purchase, and luxury vehicle lease all predated the 2017 order by two years, occurring in 2015. After that, income dropped sharply—to as low as €600 monthly—with €22,000 in accumulated debts, making payments impossible without intent to evade. The lawyer also claimed a breach of the right to an impartial tribunal, as one judge had previously acted as prosecutor in the early stages, and requested the sentence's revocation.

Prosecutors defended the ruling, pointing out that the man made no instalments despite a lifestyle inconsistent with insolvency, including the sustained high-end commitments. They dismissed any rights violation and argued the five-month term plus court costs was proportionate.

The Tribunal de Corts had absolved him of civil liability for the arrears after he reached an agreement with his ex-wife to fund their daughter's university studies in Barcelona, which he is fulfilling.

The ex-resident, previously accused in the Cas Pujol investigation, reiterated in his closing statement 13 years of economic difficulties that blocked payments, adding that he had already covered what he could over the years. A ruling is pending.