Brandenburg Courts Face Lengthy Trial Durations
Minister Grimm Calls for More Judicial Resources
According to Brandenburg’s Justice Minister Benjamin Grimm (SPD), the state’s courts are still too slow in processing cases. Citizens have a right to relatively swift legal proceedings, Grimm told the newspaper Nordkurier.
"Brandenburg is still lagging behind in this area nationwide. We need to be honest about that," Grimm said.
During the previous legislative period, 315 judges were hired, Grimm noted. Administrative and social courts have already seen improvements. The situation is different in the ordinary jurisdiction: here, it takes some time for the new judges to become fully integrated. At present, they are still working through legacy cases.
The Justice Minister therefore believes that new positions in the judiciary are necessary – even given the strained financial situation. "There is still a need for personnel, especially in the middle service," Grimm told the newspaper. "I don’t want to prejudge the budget negotiations. But we must ensure that we are well-positioned not only in the areas of police and education, but also in the judiciary, so that constitutional proceedings with reasonable durations become a reality."
The double budget for this year and next is currently being drawn up against the backdrop of lower tax revenues than expected. Finance Minister Robert Crumbach (SPD) has instructed the ministries to avoid creating additional positions this year and next in light of the tight fiscal situation, in order to present a balanced budget. However, Crumbach does not rule out the possibility of making an exception for the police.
Grimm’s call for more judicial resources reflects the ongoing challenges facing Germany’s courts. Across the country, there are concerns about lengthy trial durations, overburdened judges, and a lack of resources.
In a recent report, the German Judges’ Association (Deutsche Richterbund) warned of a "judicial emergency" due to chronic understaffing and outdated infrastructure. The association called for significant increases in funding and personnel in order to ensure the proper functioning of the judiciary.
The situation in Brandenburg is particularly acute due to the state’s comparatively low budget. However, Grimm’s statements indicate that the need for judicial reform is recognized at the highest levels of government.
It remains to be seen whether Grimm will be able to secure the necessary support from the Finance Ministry. Crumbach’s reluctance to approve additional positions suggests that a tough fight lies ahead. Nevertheless, the Justiz Minister’s public appeal for more resources is a clear sign that the issue of court efficiency cannot be ignored.
