SPAIN: Judges stage a 24 hours walk-out to protest against austerity measures in the service

Record ID: 341087

  • Title: SPAIN: Judges stage a 24 hours walk-out to protest against austerity measures in the service
  • Date: 20th February 2013
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (FEBRUARY 20, 2013) (REUTERS) DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE COURT EXTERIOR OF THE COURT / DEMO IN PROGRESS BANNER WITH A CARICATURE OF JUSTICE MINISTER ALBERTO RUIZ-GALLARDON JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS PROTESTING OUTSIDE THE COURT SIGN READING (Spanish): "JUDGES ON STRIKE, JUSTICE R.I.P." VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JUDGE ON STRIKE RAFAEL FL
  • Embargoed: 7th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Legal System,Economy,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADND10H8DNO02D0SVX4YFL6OH3
  • Story Text: Justice workers staged a 24 hour walk-out in Madrid on Wednesday (February 20) to protest against government cost-cutting measures they say will limit access to justice and reduce the quality of the public service they provide.
    They gathered in front of the court in the Spanish capital's Plaza Castilla to protest against reforms, including the elimination of substitute judges, a reduction in the number of leave days for justice workers and the institution of fees for certain legal work carried out in the legal public sector.
    Protesting outside their places of work, attorneys, judges and other legal workers argued that the proposed reforms put extra pressure on a system which already lacked manpower and resources, and that the introduction of fees would limit the general public's access to justice.
    Judge Rafael Fluites said that the fees excluded those who could not afford the increased costs.
    "That has been proved. There are practical cases in which in order to appeal a fine or a ticket, fees are higher than the fine. So that discourages (people) and makes it impossible for anyone who doesn't have the money," he said.
    According to organisers, some 2,500 judges and attorneys have joined the strike leading to the cancelation of around 10,000 trials across Spain.
    One woman at the protest said she wanted to give her support to the justice workers to build a better country.
    "I ask for justice. Because a country without a fair justice (system) can never be free," she said.
    The action constitutes the third time judges have walked-out. The first two occasions were under the Socialist government and lead to the resignation of the justice minister.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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