Andorra Appoints First Substitute Magistrate Amid Judicial Shortages

Josep Maria Rossell, president of Andorra's Superior Council of Justice (CSJ), has defended the need for additional substitute magistrates to ensure smooth court operations, particularly amid incompatibilities, recusals, and absences of titular judges.

Speaking after the swearing-in of Víctor Correas Sitja—originally from Girona and a university professor there—as the country's first substitute magistrate on Wednesday, Rossell confirmed plans to appoint two more in September. The role, created by legislative changes last year, targets gaps in the criminal chamber stemming from recent retirements and other issues.

The ceremony included Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné and General Syndic Carles Ensenyat. Rossell noted that the Superior Court selected a penal law expert from the annual merit-based candidate list to meet criminal division demands. He reiterated ongoing recruitment difficulties, with last week's call for six positions—three deputy prosecutors and three reinforcement bailiffs—receiving just five applications. "We must first see how this process concludes," Rossell said, "and open another depending on the outcome."

Looking ahead, the CSJ is developing a five-year plan to forecast needs for magistrates, bailiffs, and prosecutors, based on retirements, population trends, and rising caseloads. Rossell stressed greater publicity for vacancies to attract recent law graduates and others, alongside enhanced transparency.

The top priority remains parliamentary approval of a new CSJ personnel law before the end of the current term, which Rossell said would improve justice administration operations. He also confirmed that quinquennial raises for CSJ staff would apply in 2029, in line with general administration civil servants, following planned government legal changes.

Molné offered no detailed remarks but noted that required reports from Encamp and La Massana communes on traffic police body cameras would be submitted to the ministry before year-end to enable their use.