The growing backlash against France’s judicial system after the killing of a schoolgirl has reignited discussions about judicial staffing. How does Europe measure up amidst a shortage of judges?

The killing of an 11-year-old French schoolgirl has fueled public indignation toward the national judiciary, especially after it came to light that officials had not thoroughly investigated the alleged perpetrator regarding previous accusations of child sexual abuse.

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The girl, identified only as Lyhanna in media reports, disappeared on 29 May near Fleurance, a town in southwestern France, after being last seen entering a man’s vehicle.

Following several days of search efforts, authorities discovered the body of a child dressed identically to Lyhanna in an abandoned silo located in the village of Puycasquier on 4 June.

A 41-year-old father of two, whose daughter was a classmate of Lyhanna, has been detained as the primary suspect. He had been implicated in four separate cases involving young girls in recent years; however, these allegations were never comprehensively investigated, causing public outrage and prompting President Emmanuel Macron to condemn the «unacceptable» shortcomings within the justice system.

This incident has intensified criticism regarding underfunding and insufficient resources in the French judicial system.

Data from the Council of Europe indicates that in 2022, France had about 11 professional judges per 100,000 inhabitants—considerably lower than the European average of 22.

How does the rest of Europe compare?

Between 2019 and 2024, the EU witnessed an estimated 12% decline in the number of professional judges, with 70,348 judges recorded in 2024 according to the latest Eurostat data.

Eastern European states commonly have a higher ratio of judges and judicial staff relative to their population, a pattern the Council of Europe attributes to the influence of Germanic legal traditions.

This legal framework is largely inquisitorial, involving judges who actively manage proceedings, question witnesses, and request evidence, which typically demands more time per case and a larger judiciary.

Additionally, countries following Germanic law often maintain highly specialised courts, structured in multiple tiers with panels of judges rather than singular presiding officials.

Within the EU, Croatia (42.4), Slovenia (40.7), and Greece (37.3) had the greatest numbers of professional judges per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022.

Expanding the scope to the entirety of Europe, Monaco stands out with over 102 judges per 100,000 people, the highest figure recorded, followed by Montenegro and Croatia, both at 42.4.

In contrast, Western and Southern European countries—whose legal systems derive from Nordic law, common law, or Napoleonic law—tend to have fewer judges per 100,000 people.

Although Napoleonic law maintains an inquisitorial approach, it is typically less segmented into distinct branches compared to the Germanic model, which reduces the need for extensive personnel.

Countries following common law, by contrast, employ an adversarial system where judges serve primarily as impartial arbitrators, focusing on legal rulings and procedural fairness rather than directing investigations, resulting in fewer judges being required.

In 2022, Ireland (3.3), Denmark (6.5), and Malta (9) ranked lowest within the EU for professional judges per 100,000 inhabitants.

Broadening to all of Europe, the United Kingdom shows similarly low figures: England and Wales have under three judges per 100,000, followed by Scotland (3.6) and Northern Ireland (3.7).

These variations are partly explained by Europe’s diverse judicial systems. For example, the UK’s low professional judge count is offset by numerous cases processed by Magistrates’ Courts, which rely on non-professional judges, as noted by the Council of Europe.

Moreover, facing mounting strain, judicial bodies in countries like Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Portugal, and Romania have introduced reforms such as improved pay and working conditions to counteract declining court applicant numbers observed over recent years.

Regarding France, following the tragedy involving Lyhanna, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has ordered all state prosecutors to review 70,000 ongoing cases concerning violence against minors by 14 July, classifying them as an «absolute priority.»