By Edmond Hoxhaj (BIRN)
With 74 vacant judicial posts due to the vetting process, the HJC proposes in a study to increase the staff by 102 more positions, although their effective filling will be a challenge spanning several years.
The High Judicial Council approved on 29 October a study on reviewing the total number of judges in the Republic of Albania, under which the addition of 102 new judge positions is proposed, raising the staff from the current 417 to 519. The study proposes adding 84 permanent operational posts and creating 18 functional reserve posts. Additionally, a temporary capacity of 9 judges in the Supreme Court is proposed, subject to the creation of the necessary constitutional and legal basis.
The HJC’s proposal comes at a time when the justice system still suffers from the shortage of dozens of judges due to the vetting process, and does not make clear where the magistrates needed in addition will be found. Currently, 309 judges out of 343 appointed are serving, while 74 posts are vacant against the current staff of 417 judges.
The study assesses the need to review the number of judges in the Albanian judicial system for the period 2026–2030. According to the study, the increase in numbers aims to create the necessary capacities to cope with the flow of new cases, prevent the further build-up of backlog, gradually reduce old pending cases and guarantee the normal functioning of courts at all levels.
The report made public by the HJC on its website notes that the study is based on national data on personnel and judicial workload during 2023-2025; the HJC’s annual report for 2025; updated personnel data up to September of this year; indicators of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, CEPEJ, at the Council of Europe; INSTAT demographic data; and the standards approved by the HJC for the annual workload of judges.
The HJC’s project suggests that the recruitment plan should distinguish between recruitment at first instance and promotion to the appeal court and the Supreme Court. It is noted that, although promotion fills a position at a higher level, it creates a vacancy in the court from which the judge comes.
“Therefore every procedure must be accompanied by a chain-effect analysis”, the report requires, and suggests that the number of graduates from the School of Magistracy, the duration of procedures and expected departures should be included in a multi-year plan of entries and exits.
By 2029, students of the School of Magistracy recruited in 2024, 2025 and 2026, totaling 40 students, are expected to begin work as judges; their appointment will not be enough to fill the current vacancies, while the study also foresees the addition of 102 new positions.
The increase in the number of judges is expected to be accompanied by an increase in non-judge staff, for a total of 336 new positions.
The financial effect in the budget year that is expected to be needed to cover the costs of increasing the number of judges and judicial administration has been set at over 1.2 billion lekë.
The High Judicial Council invites citizens, civil society organisations, justice professionals and interested parties to contribute during the public consultation process on this study.