Portugal's Justice System Under Fire: Magistrates Overwhelmed with 1,000 Domestic Violence Cases

Grevio, the Council of Europe's expert group, has acknowledged Portugal's progress in addressing violence against women but highlighted significant shortcomings, particularly within the judicial system. The Minister of Justice admits the system "often fails."

Critical Findings

The report emphasizes the urgent need to eliminate certain procedures, such as mandatory reconciliation conferences in divorce cases involving family violence. Magistrates are reportedly handling up to 1,000 domestic violence inquiries each, raising concerns about the system's capacity to deliver justice effectively.

Judicial Response

While representatives of the magistrates do not outright reject the criticisms, they also do not place excessive emphasis on them. The recommendation for continuous training is accepted, albeit without much enthusiasm.

Key Issues Identified:

• Overburdened magistrates
• Inefficient judicial procedures
• Lack of specialized training

The report calls for systemic reforms to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive the protection and justice they deserve.