Mariano Rajoy considers it is time to propose a "complete overhaul" of the justice system

2016.10.6

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The President of the Government said that the reform of the justice system will need to be tackled "together, in a united fashion and with a sense of responsibility, through a significant national, political, institutional and professional agreement, with participation from all involved, by listening to everyone and by building together".Pool Moncloa/Diego Crespo

Mariano Rajoy recalled that his government has made justice "one of the strategic pillars of the National Plan of Reforms", with the aim of offering responses to many problems that had been raised.

Among these reforms, he quoted the Constitutional Law on the Judiciary, the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Act. He also referred to the new legislation approved, such as the Mediation Act, the Law on Voluntary Jurisdiction, the Second Chance Act and the Victims Charter.

The President of the Government added that the Constitutional Law on the Constitutional Court has also been reformed in order to guarantee that "its rulings are complied with", and a "major raft of anti-corruption measures" have been approved, including setting up the Office to Recover Lost Assets.

Commitment to technology and legal certainty

President of the Government Rajoy highlighted "the commitment to technology" of today's justice system which "operates to the benefit of our legal professionals and citizens". He added that at present the justice system provides "a public service that is better, faster and cheaper". In fact, the President of the Government stated that the use of new technologies has so far made a saving of 393 million euros in costs (travel, paper and time), almost 14,000 electronic auctions have taken place and close on 50 million electronic communications have been effected.

On another note, the President of the Government sent out a "sincere message of gratitude" to all Spanish lawyers for "having contributed to making this a better country and a fairer society". He stated that "legal certainty is the lynchpin of the modern rule of law in an evolving world".

"I will not impose any conditions", says Mariano Rajoy

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoIn response to questions from journalists prior to taking part in the inauguration of the 12th Legal Congress of the Bar Association of Malaga, the President of the Government spoke about the current political situation. In this regard, he stressed, in reference to the PSOE [Spanish Socialist Workers' Party], that "we are prepared to consider any possibility because the priority is to form a government".

He also underlined that "I am not going to impose any conditions", because "it would be foolish to hold another round of elections", since "bedding down our economic recovery and creating jobs are at stake".