Portugals judicial makeover the reform that flattered to deceive

Portugal's judicial reform, also known as the "Judicial Reform Law" (Lei de Reforma do Poder Judiciário), was introduced in 2019 with the aim of modernizing and streamlining the country's judicial system. The reform was seen as a major overhaul of the justice system, with the goal of increasing efficiency, reducing delays, and improving access to justice.

The reform introduced several key changes, including:

  1. Creation of a new judicial career path: The reform established a new career path for judges, with a focus on merit-based promotion and a more transparent and competitive selection process.
  2. Simplification of court procedures: The reform aimed to simplify and streamline court procedures, reducing the number of steps and paperwork required to resolve cases.
  3. Increased use of technology: The reform encouraged the use of technology in the judicial process, including electronic filing and online access to court documents.
  4. Improved access to justice: The reform aimed to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.
  5. Strengthening of judicial independence: The reform aimed to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, by establishing clear rules for the appointment and removal of judges.

However, despite these ambitious goals, the reform has been criticized for several reasons:

  1. Lack of resources: The reform has been criticized for lacking sufficient resources to implement its goals, including inadequate funding and insufficient training for judges and court staff.
  2. Resistance to change: The reform has faced resistance from some judges and court staff, who have been slow to adapt to the new procedures and technologies.
  3. Unclear implementation: The reform has been criticized for unclear implementation, with some critics arguing that the new procedures and technologies have been poorly explained and lack clear guidelines.
  4. Limited impact: Some critics have argued that the reform has had limited impact, with many of the same problems and inefficiencies persisting in the judicial system.

Overall, while the judicial reform in Portugal was seen as a major step forward, it has been criticized for its limitations and challenges. The reform has faced resistance, lack of resources, and unclear implementation, which has limited its impact and effectiveness.