German Justice System Faces Staffing Crisis as Quereinsteiger Numbers Rise

Over 670 lawyers have transitioned into judicial roles in the past five years, but a severe personnel shortage and looming retirements threaten court operations.

• Berlin leads Germany in recruiting quereinsteiger, with 170 lawyers transitioning to judicial roles between 2020 and 2024.
• Nationwide, at least 670 jurists have entered the judiciary from other legal professions, though incomplete data suggests the actual number is higher.
• The German judiciary faces a shortage of 2,000 positions, with many courts and prosecutors' offices struggling to manage workloads.
• A significant wave of retirements is expected by 2033, with up to 50% of judicial staff in Berlin and eastern states set to leave the workforce.
• Officials emphasize the need for stronger political support to address overburdened courts and attract more qualified candidates to the judiciary.

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