Future of the judiciary in danger? SPD demands stop the district court reform!

Future of the judiciary in danger? SPD demands stop the district court reform!

Neumünster, Deutschland - In Schleswig-Holstein, the planned judicial reform ensures high waves and a lot of headwind. While Justice Minister Kerstin from the ceiling adapted her plans to reduce the district court structure in November 2024, there is still violent criticism and numerous concerns. The SPD faction vehemently demands that the reform of the district courts are stopped. SPD MP Marc Timmer sums up the concerns: "The increase in procedures requires the offer to maintain the offer." What questions the need for a comprehensive reform. At the moment Ligger continues to high the number of proceedings on the local courts, which is reflected in concrete numbers.

Current considerations by the Federal Government stipulate that district courts will also be able to negotiate civil law proceedings with an amount in dispute of up to 10,000 euros. This is an increase compared to the previous 5,000 euros. In addition, neighborhood disputes should be negotiated in local courts, which means that the number of cases will continue to increase. In Schleswig-Holstein there are currently 22 local courts in 15 circles and independent cities, and this number could significantly reduce the reform in the coming years.

strong concerns about centralization

The focus is also on the centralization of the work and social courts at a location in Neumünster, as originally intended by the ceilings. Critics fear that access to the judiciary will be restricted for many citizens. An open letter from the court lines to Prime Minister Daniel Günther and Minister of Justice of the ceiling makes it clear: "Access to the courts has constitutional rank." The planned merger could be problematic, especially for citizens with physical restrictions or social disadvantages, since they would have to accept longer paths and higher costs.

With a petition that has already collected over 4,200 signatures, citizens and those affected are committed to preserving the labor and social courts in the current regions. The initiators warn of the negative consequences of the reform, especially for people who rely on access to the courts. A central location could also endanger the networking of the courts on site and make the decision on the procedures more difficult.

positions in the political discussion

The planned reforms are sharply criticized by the opposition. Lars Harms from the SSW describes the projects as "catastrophe", while Bernd Buchholz from the FDP abbots the financial assumptions as "milk girl bill". Marc Timmer himself calls the reform plans a "cheek". Despite these negative voices, the necessary changes defended the ceilings. In their opinion, online negotiations and regular court days could improve the proximity to the citizens.

As part of the political discussion, a hearing of those involved, which is to take place in November, is promised. Unions and judge associations are already mobilizing to the rally in order to draw attention to the importance of a citizen -friendly access to the judiciary. It remains to be seen whether the reform plans will exist in the current form.