CSJ notified of magistrate Yves Picod’s retirement; approves 2026 judicial training plan

The Superior Council of Justice (CSJ) has received formal notification from Superior Court magistrate Yves Picod that he intends to retire under article 68.1 of the Qualified Law of Justice. Picod will remain in office until the end of June 2026, and the CSJ said it will initiate the institutional succession process to arrange his replacement.

In the same session, the CSJ approved the 2026 Continuous Training Plan, drafted by the Pedagogical Training Commission and presented on 4 December 2025 in accordance with article 38‑bis of the Qualified Law of Justice. The plan sets out the framework for mandatory and voluntary annual training for members of the judicial and prosecutorial careers and for staff serving the administration of justice, combining generalist, specialised and personalised activities.

The plan is structured into three programmes. The programme for magistrates, batlles and prosecutors includes general training in judicial ethics, European case law, interrogation techniques, freedom of expression and international judicial cooperation, alongside specialised modules in civil, criminal and administrative law. Sessions will run from January to November and feature a workshop on the electronic judicial file, modules on involuntary commitments, corruption prevention, investigation management and a dedicated session on environmental protection.

The programme for judicial secretaries builds on training begun in 2025 and covers time management, change management, cybersecurity, data protection, application of the Civil Procedure Code and the handling of evidentiary documents. It also includes training on domestic and gender‑based violence, with specific reference to the “Purple Code” (Codi Lila).

The third programme, aimed at administration and CSJ staff, addresses the code of ethics, gender‑based violence, harassment, judicial statistics, criminal procedure, communication skills and first aid, together with ongoing modules on the electronic judicial file and cybersecurity.

The plan foresees personalised activities, online courses and professional placements at judicial institutions tailored to individual needs. Priority will be given to programmes at the École Nationale de la Magistrature (ENM) and the Spanish Consejo General del Poder Judicial (CGPJ); such activities will be worth two credits each. Voluntary training may include university courses and programmes from specialised and international bodies — notably the Council of Europe’s HELP courses and trainings offered by AIAMP, the UN and UNESCO — and will be assessed according to the Pedagogical Commission’s criteria.

As in previous years, professional stays at the CGPJ Judicial School and other institutions will be offered to promote knowledge exchange and improve public service delivery within the justice system. By approving the 2026 plan, the CSJ reaffirmed its commitment to modernising Andorra’s judiciary, consolidating a culture of continuous learning and preparing professionals for emerging legal and technological challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence and developments in European jurisprudence.