Spanish Judge Míriam de Rosa Palacio Sworn In as Andorra's Tribunal de Corts Magistrate

Míriam de Rosa Palacio, a Spanish judge with more than 20 years in the profession, has sworn in as a full-time magistrate at Andorra's Tribunal de Corts, completing its core team of five dedicated members.

The oath-taking ceremony, led by Josep Maria Rossell, president of the Consell Superior de la Justícia (CSJ), followed a selection process involving three internal contests and one external call. Challenged judicially, it received approval from the Tribunal Superior. De Rosa, formerly at Barcelona's Investigating Court No. 10 and in Spain's judicial career since 2001, vowed to exercise her duties with rectitude and impartiality in line with the Constitution. She expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and pledged to work diligently to honor that confidence and serve the country effectively.

Rossell praised her career, spanning courts in Igualada, Guipúscoa, Manresa, and Barcelona, along with institutional roles such as heading the Spanish Judicial School's international and institutional relations department. Her work has focused on judicial cooperation, professional training, and European and Mediterranean initiatives in institutional modernization, fundamental rights, and judicial innovation.

The appointment had sparked debate after judge Alexandra Terés criticized the choice of a foreign magistrate during Andorra's ongoing justice system Andorranization. Rossell declared the matter closed, citing the Superior Court's backing and stating that the rules had been followed correctly, resulting in a new Corts magistrate as intended.

Rossell noted that De Rosa's arrival should lessen the need for criminal court judges (batlles) to cover substitutions—a frequent issue given the court's background of former prosecutors. The CSJ is evaluating substitute magistrates to manage temporary demands, conflicts, recusals, or absences, enabling better case flow. A new pool of substitutes is in formation, with applications due Thursday and decisions expected within a month. Last year's initial pool, mainly active Catalan judges, drew no interest from emeritus or retired magistrates; substitutes would typically be foreign jurists from Spain or France.

Parallel contests are underway for three batlle posts and three deputy prosecutor roles, both requiring Andorran nationality. These should address immediate needs, though Rossell warned of unpredictable elements like retirements and a persistently high workload—"always a bit too much." He described Andorranization as a living, progressive, and advanced process, prioritizing local hires at entry levels while legislation allows foreign experts for continuity amid dynamic pressures. Further reinforcements are under consideration to ease saturation.