Andorra's Civil Court Section Halts Amid Judge Shortages

The first civil section of the Batllia has ground to a halt due to the promotion of judge Nàdia Alís to the Tribunal de Corts and the maternity leave of her substitute, Cristina Martínez, leaving no one to handle pending cases.

Lawyers expressed strong frustration over the situation, describing it as "shameful" and "unbelievable." Most trials and proceedings in the section have stalled, with only the most urgent matters redirected to Batllia president David Moynat for slow progress. Informed sources indicated Martínez's absence will last until next April, during which time the Consell Superior de la Justícia (CSJ) could appoint a temporary substitute to keep the section operational, even at reduced capacity.

The civil sections manage private disputes, including family law, inheritance claims, contract breaches, debt recoveries, and civil liability cases. They handle divorces, evictions, neighbor disputes, embargoes, and enforcement of foreign judgments. The backlog in section 1 directly affects residents awaiting resolutions on these everyday matters.

Lawyers noted that all six other civil sections are also overwhelmed, a problem extending to criminal cases where delays in judgments are routine. Some cases from two years ago remain undecided, nearing the three-year expiration limit. Sentencing disputes have even appeared in Tribunal Constitucional rulings, with one section effectively dedicated to such conflicts.

CSJ president Josep Maria Rossell previously warned of an impending judicial collapse due to incompatibilities and poor planning. Justice Minister Ester Molné disputed this in a Diari TV interview, denying an extreme crisis while acknowledging regulatory shortcomings. Lawyers countered her view, insisting all courtrooms are overburdened despite official statements.