Justice Reform in Romania: A Path Toward Efficiency and Fairness

Romania’s justice sector is undergoing a transformation aimed at enhancing efficiency and access to justice. The World Bank’s report, "Reflections on the Functional Review of the Romanian Justice Sector," outlines key challenges such as fragmented service delivery, low human resource capacity, and poor data management. It calls for a unified, people-centered vision to guide reforms, emphasizing strategic resource management, better data utilization, and digital transformation. The report also highlights the need for strong leadership and collaboration to achieve sustainable justice reform in Romania.

Romania’s journey toward justice sector reform has been marked by significant progress and notable challenges. The recently completed Functional Review of the Romanian Justice Sector by the World Bank, titled "Reflections on the Functional Review of the Romanian Justice Sector", sheds light on the key issues facing the country’s judiciary and offers a detailed roadmap for improvement. Conducted under a Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) agreement with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, the review outlines systemic strengths and critical shortcomings, with recommendations to build a more efficient, accessible, and responsive justice system.

Systemic Challenges and Strategic Vision

The review identifies several cross-cutting challenges that hinder the effectiveness of Romania’s justice sector. While the country has made strides in implementing justice reforms and promoting the rule of law, inefficiencies persist due to fragmented service delivery and poor resource management. Limited inter-institutional coordination and a lack of a unified strategic vision have made it difficult for Romania’s justice sector to function as a cohesive entity.

The absence of a shared vision that prioritizes the needs of citizens has been highlighted as a key obstacle to achieving a high-performing system. According to the report, a successful reform should be grounded in a people-centered approach that tailors judicial services to real-life challenges. This means streamlining procedures, improving resource alignment, and utilizing data to inform policy and operational decisions. Only through a strategic, unified effort can the Romanian justice system effectively respond to the evolving demands of society.

Human Resources and Access to Justice

Another major issue outlined in the review is the sector’s human resource challenges. Low occupancy rates in both prosecution offices and courts have led to an overload of cases and growing backlogs, compromising the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely justice. The uneven distribution of caseloads among judges and prosecutors further exacerbates this inefficiency. The report recommends a more strategic approach to resource management, including regular assessments of caseloads and the reallocation of human resources to match the sector’s needs.

Enhancing access to justice remains a pressing concern for Romania. The review points out that legal aid in the country is underdeveloped, with low eligibility thresholds and fragmented coordination. Public awareness of available legal aid services is also limited, making it difficult for citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, to seek and obtain justice. Expanding the legal aid framework, improving communication, and investing in judicial infrastructure are highlighted as key steps toward bridging the gap to legal equity.

Data-Driven Justice and Digital Transformation

The review underscores the importance of a data-driven approach in modernizing the Romanian justice sector. Data management has been a long-standing issue, with inconsistent definitions, fragmented systems, and a lack of standardization across institutions. These deficiencies prevent effective coordination and hinder cross-comparisons, making it difficult to assess the sector’s performance and allocate resources efficiently and accurately.

To address these challenges, the report calls for the establishment of a robust data governance framework. By implementing standardized practices for data collection and management, Romania can create a reliable foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning. Moreover, a shift toward a data-centric system would enable justice institutions to identify service gaps, measure performance, and prioritize areas for improvement.

Digital transformation is another area of focus in the review. The Romanian justice sector has already made some progress in adopting digital technologies, but the lack of a comprehensive digital strategy has resulted in uneven implementation and inefficient use of resources. The introduction of the ECRIS V case management system is a promising step forward, but a sector-wide digital strategy, supported by strong governance and leadership, is needed to ensure that technology investments translate into meaningful improvements.

Building a Resilient and People-Centered Justice System

Romania’s justice reform journey is far from complete, and the review emphasizes the need for strong leadership and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. Sustainable reform requires not only structural and procedural changes but also a cultural shift within justice institutions. Leaders must champion a cohesive vision that places the public’s needs at the forefront, ensuring that the justice system is adaptable, transparent, and equitable.

Flexibility and collaboration are essential to navigating the complexities of justice reform. As the report concludes, a resilient justice system must be equipped to respond to societal changes and emerging challenges. This calls for ongoing dialogue, data-driven insights, and a willingness to experiment with innovative solutions. Romania’s experience offers valuable lessons for other countries grappling with similar issues, illustrating the importance of a strategic, people-centered approach to justice sector transformation.

The Reflections on the Functional Review of the Romanian Justice Sector report by the World Bank provides a comprehensive blueprint for reform. By addressing systemic inefficiencies, improving access to justice, and leveraging data and technology, Romania has the potential to build a justice system that not only upholds the rule of law but also serves its citizens effectively and fairly.