Skopje Criminal Court faces severe shortage of judges and staff

The shortage of judicial, administrative and support staff remains one of the main problems facing the Skopje Criminal Court. Nevertheless, the institution has improved its efficiency, with a considerable reduction in the number of old cases and a downward trend in the expiry of criminal cases due to the statute of limitations. The data were presented at a media conference held today at the Criminal Court.

There are currently 53 judges serving at the court. Eight of them are over the age of 59, while five have passed the age of 64. According to the institution, this means that a large number of judges are expected to retire within the next three years. Meanwhile, no new judges are expected to be appointed, as the Academy has no cohorts.

The situation is even more difficult in the administration and support services. Of the 628 positions provided for in the staffing structure, only 208 have been filled. To ensure the court’s regular operation, 18 Judicial Police officers, two technical staff members and seven cleaners are currently engaged.

During 2026 alone, 13 employees retired. Meanwhile, from 2020 to 2025, the number of officials at the court decreased by as many as 131.

Court proceedings are also being hindered by the insufficient number of jury members. Seventy members are needed for hearings to proceed normally, while 52 are currently active, including 17 people who were recently selected.

Despite the staff shortage, the Criminal Court reports positive results in managing its workload and reducing the backlog of cases.

In August 2025, 896 old cases had been recorded, while by August 2026 that number had fallen to 368. The largest reduction was recorded in misdemeanor cases and sanctions./Telegrafi/