Spain Boosts Prosecutor Workforce to Tackle Judicial Backlog in Catalonia

Spain’s Ministry of Justice has announced a historic expansion of its prosecutor workforce, with 200 new positions set to be distributed across the country’s autonomous communities – including Catalonia – to address chronic judicial backlogs. The move comes as part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing Spain’s legal system, though it has sparked debate about judicial independence and regional equity.

What’s Happening

During a visit to the headquarters of the State Prosecutor’s Office in Madrid on April 27, 2026, Justice Minister Félix Bolaños confirmed that all 200 new prosecutor positions created through this year’s competitive examinations will be allocated “to all autonomous communities and central bodies without exception.” The distribution formula, developed in consultation with the Prosecutor’s Office, considers both current workload and existing staffing levels.

While the exact number of positions earmarked for Catalonia hasn’t been publicly disclosed, the region – which has long struggled with judicial backlogs – is expected to receive a significant share. Barcelona’s courts currently face some of the highest case backlogs in Spain, with civil cases taking an average of 18 months to resolve and criminal cases often exceeding two years.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The 200 new positions represent the largest single-year expansion of Spain’s prosecutor workforce in at least two decades. According to official data from the General Council of the Judiciary:

• Spain currently has approximately 2,500 prosecutors nationwide
• The new positions represent an 8% increase in total prosecutor capacity
• Catalonia has about 350 prosecutors currently, serving a population of 7.7 million
• The region’s courts handled over 1.2 million cases in 2025, with backlogs growing by 12% year-over-year

Why This Matters for Catalonia

The judicial backlog in Catalonia has reached crisis levels, particularly in Barcelona’s courts. The situation has been exacerbated by:

• Complex political cases: High-profile cases related to Catalonia’s independence movement have overwhelmed specialized courts
• Economic disputes: Barcelona’s status as Spain’s second-largest economic hub generates significant commercial litigation
• Tourism-related crime: The region’s popularity with tourists has led to increased caseloads in areas like petty theft and fraud
• Language barriers: Cases requiring Catalan-language proceedings often face additional delays

Local legal associations have welcomed the announcement but caution that more systemic reforms are needed. “While additional prosecutors will help, we as well need modernization of court procedures and better case management systems,” said a spokesperson for the Barcelona Bar Association, who requested anonymity to speak freely about government policy.

The Broader Reform Context

This expansion comes as part of a series of judicial reforms proposed by the Spanish government, which have proven controversial. Key elements include:

• Shift to prosecutor-led investigations: Currently, investigating judges handle most criminal cases in Spain, but the government proposes transferring this responsibility to prosecutors – a system already used in most European countries
• Changes to judicial appointments: Proposed reforms would modify how judges and prosecutors are selected, with critics arguing this could increase political influence over the judiciary
• Digital modernization: The government has committed €450 million to digitizing court systems, though implementation has been slow

These reforms have drawn criticism from judicial associations and opposition parties. The conservative Association of Judges and Magistrates has warned that the changes could “erode the separation of powers,” while the progressive Judges for Democracy group has expressed more cautious support, emphasizing the need for safeguards.

What Comes Next

The timeline for implementation is as follows:

• May-June 2026: Competitive examinations for the 200 new positions
• September 2026: Successful candidates begin training at the Center for Legal Studies in Barcelona
• January 2027: New prosecutors take up their positions across Spain
• June 2027: First evaluation of the program’s impact on case backlogs

The Ministry of Justice has indicated that Catalonia will receive priority in the distribution of new prosecutors, particularly in areas with the most severe backlogs. Barcelona’s Provincial Court is expected to receive approximately 30-40 of the new positions, though final numbers won’t be confirmed until after the examinations are completed.

Key Questions About the Reform

Will this actually reduce case backlogs?

While additional prosecutors will increase capacity, experts note that Spain’s judicial system faces multiple bottlenecks. A 2025 report by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice found that Spain’s courts are understaffed by approximately 2,000 judges and 1,500 prosecutors compared to European averages. The new positions represent a step toward addressing this shortfall but won’t fully resolve it.

How does this affect high-profile cases in Catalonia?

Several politically sensitive cases related to Catalonia’s independence movement have been delayed due to judicial backlogs. The most prominent is the retrial of leaders involved in the 2017 independence referendum, which has been postponed multiple times. Additional prosecutors could accelerate these proceedings, though the cases’ political sensitivity means they’ll likely remain contentious regardless of staffing levels.

What about other regions?

While Catalonia’s backlogs are severe, other regions also face challenges:

• Madrid: Commercial courts are overwhelmed by complex financial cases
• Andalusia: Rural courts struggle with understaffing and limited resources
• Basque Country: Specialized terrorism courts face unique caseload pressures

The Ministry has emphasized that the distribution formula will consider each region’s specific needs, though final allocations will depend on examination results.

The International Perspective

Spain’s judicial system has long been criticized by international organizations for its inefficiency. A 2024 report by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission noted that Spain’s case backlogs were among the worst in Western Europe, with civil cases taking an average of 577 days to resolve – nearly double the European average.

The shift toward prosecutor-led investigations would bring Spain in line with most other European countries, including France, Germany, and Italy. However, critics argue that Spain’s current system of political appointments for top prosecutors – including the Attorney General – could undermine the independence of prosecutor-led investigations if not properly safeguarded.

What Legal Professionals Are Saying

Reactions from the legal community have been mixed:

• Cristina Dexeus, President of the Association of Prosecutors: “While we welcome additional resources, we remain concerned about the broader reform agenda. The independence of the prosecutor’s office must be protected above all else.”
• Barcelona prosecutor (anonymous): “In Barcelona, we’re handling 30-40% more cases than we should be. These new positions will help, but we also need better case management systems and more support staff.”
• Legal scholar at Pompeu Fabra University: “The real test will be whether these new prosecutors are deployed effectively. Simply adding more people to an inefficient system won’t solve the underlying problems.”

Looking Ahead

The first new prosecutors are expected to begin operate in early 2027. The Ministry of Justice has committed to publishing quarterly progress reports on case backlog reduction, with the first evaluation scheduled for June 2027. In the meantime, legal observers will be watching closely to see whether the expansion leads to tangible improvements in Catalonia’s overburdened courts or whether deeper structural reforms will be needed.

For those following the situation, the Ministry of Justice’s official website will provide updates on the examination process and position allocations. The General Council of the Judiciary also publishes regular statistics on case backlogs and court performance.

What’s your take on Spain’s judicial reforms? Are additional prosecutors the solution to Catalonia’s case backlogs, or are deeper changes needed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.