Ombudsman warns slow courts impair right to fair trial

Ombudsman Pavel Varvařovský has warned that the slow pace of Czech courts is impairing the right to a fair trial. Verdicts take exceedingly long in most courts of justice, he says, and not because there are not enough judges but because they are disproportionately placed. The long-term shortage of recording clerks, higher judicial officials and assistants also has a negative impact on the length of cases. The ombudsman also noted that while the Justice Ministry saved money by cutting staff, it is spending more money on compensation for delays. He also criticises the lack of any assessment of the case burden on courts and the allocation of judges accordingly.