Tenerife South Judicial System Faces Collapse Amid Calls for Urgent Reform
The Circle of Entrepreneurs and Professionals of the South of Tenerife is urging a structural reorganization and merger of the Arona and Granadilla courts to address a severe judicial backlog and failing infrastructure that threatens the region's economic stability.
The judicial system in the south of Tenerife is facing a crisis that goes beyond simple delays; it has become a structural failure that threatens the economic growth and legal stability of one of the Canary Islands' most active regions. The Circle of Entrepreneurs and Professionals of the South of Tenerife (CEST) warns that the current court system cannot handle the region's workload—a problem that, according to the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC), is steadily getting worse.
The Canary Islands currently lead the country in litigation, with an average of 212.5 lawsuits for every 1,000 residents. The courts in Arona and Granadilla de Abona are at a breaking point: Arona’s caseload has risen to 29,555 proceedings—an 8.06% increase from last year—while Granadilla’s has grown by 7.41%, reaching 11,804 files. For local businesses, this backlog is more than just red tape; it discourages investment and creates significant uncertainty for workers and the self-employed.
The physical state of these facilities only makes matters worse. The TSJC has described the Granadilla de Abona courthouse as obsolete, noting that it lacks basic functionality and fails to meet essential safety standards, including the absence of an approved evacuation plan. These conditions fall far short of what is required for a vital public service, making it difficult for legal professionals to do their jobs and for citizens to receive proper support.
Javier Cabrera, president of the CEST, is calling on the government to stop applying "quick fixes" and instead commit to a major reorganization. The solution favored by both the High Court and legal professionals is to merge the Arona and Granadilla courts. They argue this is the only way to effectively manage staff and resources, creating a more efficient system that reflects the needs of a region whose service-heavy economy requires a judicial infrastructure that matches its significant contribution to the regional GDP.