The Judiciary raises its salary by consensus

BarcelonaOn September 24, in a context marked by paralysis, the plenary session of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) reached a significant agreement without publicity: the approval of a salary increase for its members. The decision, which was processed at the proposal of the economic affairs commission, has generated controversy due to the contrast between the speed regarding their own remuneration and the inaction in other areas of justice.

The agreement stands out for having been previously agreed upon between the two sectors of the body (conservatives and progressives), a harmony that is surprising when compared to the systematic blockage that other judicial matters suffer. The presidency of the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC), for example, was blocked for four years until Mercè Caso was appointed president last February, and the second chamber of the Supreme Court had a functioning presidency for eight months.

The plenary session is divided, since its renewal in June 2024 (after 2,000 days with the mandate expired), into a technical tie of 10 conservative and 10 progressive members. In this scenario, the casting vote of the president, Isabel Perelló, rarely tips the balance one way or the other. In fact, last September, Perelló chose not to take a stance regarding the salary increase and voted blank. The president argued that, despite not considering the matter a priority, she would not vote against it due to the wide majority of members in favor. Finally, the measure passed with 18 votes in favor and three blank votes (that of the president and those of two progressive members).

How does the increase work?

The agreement does not consist of a direct linear increase, but rather in the application of a forecast from the General State Budgets (PGE) of 2022. The mechanism is based on the recognition of seniority and the payment of accumulated triennia that until now are not recognized for the members of the CGPJ.

This implies that the increase will not be the same for all members. The increase depends on the number of triennia for each member. Thus, the oldest members, who are the members from the Supreme Court, will have their salary matched to what they would receive in their original position. The increase, therefore, can reach 800 euros per month for a group that already receives between 130,000 and 155,000 euros annually.