Salzburg judges and prosecutors suspend some work over staff shortages

Judges and prosecutors in Salzburg have suspended some of their work during a nationwide justice action week, citing excessive workloads and staff shortages, ORF reported. At the Salzburg Regional Court on Tuesday, they said they were exhausted.

Salzburg has 94 judicial posts, but staff representatives say 110 are needed. The shortage includes 16 judges, and another wave of retirements is expected at the Regional Court in 2030.

During the action week, no hearings or public office hours are being held, and no decisions are being issued. Judge and union representative Ludwig Wagner said the action began when the judiciary had already completed its workload for the year. “We are operating at an average capacity of 120 percent,” he said. Judges have all-in contracts and are paid for 100 percent of their work, with no additional pay or time off for the extra hours.

Judges at the Regional Court work as many as 60 hours a week, said Claudia Klampfer, a judge and head of the Salzburg section of the Judges’ Association, in an interview with ORF in July. Officially, their working week is 40 hours.

Rising case numbers and staff shortages are expected to lengthen proceedings, leaving people involved in cases waiting longer.