French magistrates and public sector legal professionals went on strike on Wednesday, demanding more funding and better working conditions.
Magistrates, lawyers, and court clerks staged rallies outside courthouses in Paris and other cities in France, demanding “dignified” conditions for work and the postponement of hearings.
The protests on Wednesday were announced by 17 trade unions, who called for a “general mobilization for justice.” The strike was supported by the Court of Cessation, the highest court in the county’s judicial system, which said it “could not remain silent at a time when despair affects those who try, sometimes at the cost of sacrifice or tragedy, to carry out justice.”
According to French media, lawyers have been complaining about feeling overworked and depressed when going through rushed hearings in underfunded and understaffed courts. It was reported that, in some cases, magistrates were pressured to conclude hearings without proper due diligence and follow-up, and were even instructed to rule on divorce cases “in 15 minutes,” without giving the floor to the parties involved.
Les professionnels de justice présents devant Bercy, demandaient à être reçus par @BrunoLeMaire. Ce sera le ministre délégué chargé des Comptes publics @olivierdussopt qui recevra délégation de #magistrats , #avocats et greffiers à 19 h00 #15Decembre #JusticeMalade pic.twitter.com/IGjPIClxTS
— L'Echiquier social (@EchiquierSocial) December 15, 2021
Plusieurs centaines de personnes aux abords de Bercy pour cette "mobilisation générale pour la justice" #15Decembre pic.twitter.com/MXcodqYMV5
— Nathan Ripert (@NathRipert) December 15, 2021