Andorra Justice Minister Rejects Imminent Judicial Collapse Warnings

Andorra's Justice Minister Ester Molné has dismissed warnings of an imminent collapse in the country's judicial system, insisting that while improvements are needed, the situation remains manageable.

Molné's comments came during an appearance on Diari TV, where she directly countered a November alert from Josep Maria Rossell, president of the Superior Council of Justice. Rossell had claimed on the same programme that the justice system was on the brink of breakdown. Instead, Molné pointed to outdated internal rules and magistrate appointment processes in the magistracy and Batllia that hinder optimal operations. "These must be improved," she said, but stressed the issues fall short of a crisis.

A bill to overhaul judicial organisation is currently under government review, with analysis due by month's end. Key challenges stem from Andorra's push to "Andorranise" the judiciary: four of the five Court of Corts judges are former prosecutors, creating conflicts of interest in certain cases. This requires temporarily reassigning batlles from their regular duties to form court panels. Molné described the localisation as beneficial for providing relevant perspectives to affected groups and upholding sovereignty, while noting exceptional cases could involve French or Spanish magistrates.

To address prosecutor-to-judge incompatibilities without stifling career progression—a role she called socially vital—Molné advocated measured reforms developed calmly with judicial stakeholders. Changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, which she has championed, include allowing single-judge trials for minor offences to ease the Court of Corts' workload and speed up proceedings.

On budgeting, Molné supported splitting administrative and material costs—handled by her Interior and Justice Ministry—from core judicial expenses, which the Superior Council should manage. This would enhance focus on judicial functions, maintain independence and streamline administration.

Reforms are targeted for review by late February or early March, with stakeholder meetings to finalise measures before the legislature ends. Molné cautioned that the technical depth would make implementation challenging.

Separately, the government awaits a French prison administration expert's report on mental health care for inmates. The review will assess current treatment and suggest enhancements, without plans for a dedicated unit. Prisoner numbers peaked unusually high in early 2025 but have since eased to 52.