Andorra Court VP Reports Drop in Judicial Delay Cases

Pere Pastor, vice-president of Andorra's Constitutional Court, reported a downward trend in cases of undue judicial delays arriving at the court, calling it a "good sign" during a Tuesday press conference in Sant Julià de Lòria.

The event marked the launch of the book Dret administratiu d’Andorra. Pastor pointed to annual data showing a progressive drop in complaints over violations of the right to timely proceedings. Although specific delays still occur, he said the justice system "is resolving itself in a certain way," with overall indicators reflecting positive progress.

He clarified the court's limited role: it checks for undue delays in specific cases and, if found, declares the violation, directing parties to ordinary courts for potential compensation. Direct intervention or systemic reforms lie outside its scope, falling to independent entities like the General Council and government. "The Constitutional Court verifies if undue delays have occurred within processes," Pastor explained, adding that solutions belong to "other powers that are totally independent." He stressed that the matter "escapes" the court's functions, yet noted that "one case is too many," given the impact on citizens' rights.

Pastor also addressed his new position on a seven-member Council of Europe panel evaluating judicial candidates for the European Court of Human Rights. The experts assess if nominees from member states meet Convention requirements. "I am part of a commission tasked with checking if candidates proposed by countries for European Court judge positions fit the Convention's criteria," he said. The role demands significant time but he accepted it "with great enthusiasm" due to its institutional weight. Spain's candidacy has arrived for review, among others.