magistrates vote on a motion to “reduce their activities”
The Toulouse justice is out of breath. As yet another warning cry, the magistrates of the seat and the prosecution of the judicial court of Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) voted Friday, December 2, in the General Assembly, a motion noting “the shortage of manpower and material means” hampering their assignments. Pending reinforcements, their activities will be reduced for the time being.
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Haute-Garonne: workforce still below needs
For the magistrates of Judicial Court of Toulouse, the situation is maintained. And this, despite the “Tribune of 3,000”, a year ago. The latter denounced the “unworthy” working conditions for judicial personnel and a justice system unable to meet the expectations of litigants. According to the magistrates, the problems remain the same and have even worsened. Pierre Dunac, President of the Toulouse Bar, questioned by The Independent Opinion Explain :
The Toulouse judicial court is totally under-staffed with clerks and magistrates, so that it no longer absorbs all of the disputes”
For example, the family court of Toulouse has three magistrates who work permanently, “where it would take at least 12”, details the Toulouse president. A situation that affects other jurisdictions. In the correctional appeal chamber, to be tried, you have to wait on average “54 months in Toulouse”, specifies Pierre Dunac. An under-staffing which prevents the Judicial Court of Toulouse from functioning normally and from rendering a quality justiceunderlines the magistrates within the motion.
urgent complaints
Judicial staff are calling for many changes to ensure quality justice. Among their demands, “the creation of three cabinets from September 2023, including one in judicial court of Saint-Gaudensthe objective is to reach 13 judges’ cabinets.” Another request is based on the creation of two posts within the jurisdiction of family affairs, of which “the very degraded functioning of this service may impact the activity of other services to the court”, underlines the motion of the magistrates.
The motion, voted in the General Assembly, also requires the creation of six civilian positions, concerning the social hub, a post is also desired by the magistrates. In addition, at the correctional headquarters, including the Commission for the Compensation of Victims of Offenses (CIVI) and civil interests, the complaint of the magistrates is based on the creation of four posts. Finally, at the instruction and service of the Judges of Liberties and Detentions (JLD), the creation of a post is requested.
In the meantime, these reinforcements aimed at improving the working conditions of magistrates, the motion indicates a reduction in the working time of judicial staff effective since December 2, 2022. The text invokes compliance with “the legislation on working and rest time through the full application of the Lebranchu flyer which limits the duration of a hearing to 6 hours”. The time is therefore once again for mobilization on the side of the Toulouse Judicial Court.
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