CSM held 50 meetings last year and adopted over 700 decisions

The Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) met 50 times last year and adopted over 700 decisions. The data were presented today by the President of the CSM, Sergiu Caraman, during the General Assembly of Judges.

The head of the CSM highlighted the high workload and the constant efforts to strengthen the independence of the judiciary.

According to the report, in 2025 the CSM Plenum met in 50 sessions and adopted 713 decisions. The rulings covered areas such as judges’ careers, disciplinary liability, the organization and functioning of courts, professional training, and institutional cooperation.

With regard to the work of the courts, they resolved 239,933 cases, an increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year, while maintaining a clearance rate of 94.1%. The average duration for examining cases was 161.8 days, an indicator of compliance with the reasonable-time requirement in judicial proceedings.

The report also shows that the workload for judges increased significantly, with the average caseload reaching 103.7 files per judge per month, representing a 24.3% increase. This dynamic reflects the pressure on the system, including due to staff shortages.

An important element of the previous year was the approval of the CSM Strategic Plan for 2025–2029, which sets the development directions for the judiciary and supports justice sector reforms. The report also highlights challenges such as staff shortages and the high volume of work, which continue to affect court activity.

“For 2026, the CSM aims to continue reforms and implement the objectives of the strategic plan in order to strengthen an efficient and independent judiciary,” Caraman concluded.

Also during the General Assembly, the judges approved the draft amendments to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Judges. The amendments concern updating professional conduct rules to reflect the contemporary realities of judicial activity, including in the context of the use of social networks and interaction with the media. They emphasize caution in public communication and the avoidance of any statements that could affect the perception of judges’ impartiality, maintaining public confidence in the integrity and independence of the judiciary, and respecting ethical principles in the digital environment, including the responsible use of communication tools, privacy settings, and avoidance of sharing content that could compromise the appearance of neutrality or impartiality.

The amendments also address the prevention of disclosure of sensitive information, including in online or private discussions, which could affect judicial independence or impartiality. The amendments were approved unanimously. Nearly 300 judges took part today in the General Assembly of Judges. The event was attended by the head of state, Maia Sandu, and the leadership of the Ministry of Justice.