The German Judges Association (DRB) has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to bolster the judicial system with €450 million as part of a new pact for the rule of law.
“The Federal Government is making a clear statement regarding its promise to strengthen the judiciary as the backbone of the rule of law with this initial funding of nearly half a billion euros until 2029” stated DRB Federal Managing Director Sven Rebehn in comments to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. He emphasized, however, that it is crucial that this federal financial aid rapidly reaches the courts and public prosecutor’s offices.
A key component for effective implementation requires a swift agreement between the federal government and the states (Länder). This would obligate the states to create additional positions for judges and prosecutors. Current estimates indicate a shortfall of approximately 2,000 judges and prosecutors, particularly within the criminal justice system. This deficit is contributing to a backlog of nearly one million unresolved cases within investigative agencies, leading to protracted criminal proceedings and increasingly frequent dismissals of cases due to a lack of resources. “The significant problems we face within the judiciary cannot be further delayed” Rebehn added.