Courts in the Algarve are reaching their breaking point, with pest infestations, water-damaged case files and a lack of staff among the main issues hampering the justice system’s ability to function properly.
The warning comes from the Union of Public Prosecutors (Sindicato dos Magistrados do Ministério Público, or SNMP), which says the situation in the Faro Judicial District (Comarca de Faro) is reaching a critical point.
“The Faro judicial district is clearly at breaking point. There is a lack of prosecutors, a lack of court staff and a lack of minimum working conditions, seriously compromising the response of justice in the Algarve,” the union said in a statement released after a meeting held on the morning of March 18 at the Palace of Justice of Faro (Palácio da Justiça de Faro).
The Faro district is the only judicial district in the Algarve and covers all 16 municipalities. According to the SNMP, it is facing a “structural dysfunction that worsens year after year”.
Resources have not kept up with demand, the union says, adding that the situation is particularly bad in key courts dealing with civil, criminal, family and juvenile cases, as well as criminal investigations. These courts, based in Faro, serve eight municipalities but are operating “well below what would be required to ensure even minimally effective justice”.
At least eight prosecutors are currently absent from duty, a number that has recently exceeded 10. “This has led to constant workload accumulation, often without formal recognition, with payments for extra work sometimes taking years,” the union laments.
Prosecutors handling well over 1,000 cases each
These issues have led to a huge backlog of cases. In Loulé, a newly appointed prosecutor started with around 1,800 pending investigations. In Albufeira, the figure is about 1,700 per prosecutor. In Portimão and Lagos, each prosecutor is handling more than 1,000 cases.
In some instances, cases from the busy summer period – when crime levels are highest in the Algarve – have not even been formally registered yet.
In other words, courts are unable to respond to so many cases with the staff currently employed. Lagos should have four prosecutors but is operating well below that number, the union warns. Portimão needs at least two more, while Loulé requires at least one additional prosecutor due to a long-term absence.
The staff shortages are also affecting other areas. In Silves, a key Investigation and Criminal Action Department (DIAP) position was removed in 2022, weakening the system further.
In Olhão, a vacant position in the commercial court was never filled, forcing one magistrate to cover both labour and commercial cases – a workload that became unsustainable and led to sick leave.
The pressure is particularly severe in Portimão, where the section dealing with violent crime is short three staff members, while eight others have retired without replacement. This has left thousands of cases delayed or stalled, the union warns.
For many prosecutors and court staff, the pressure has reached “unsustainable limits,” it adds.
Courts plagued by rats and leaks
The Union of Public Prosecutors also raised concerns about the physical condition of court buildings in the Algarve.
In Albufeira, rats and cockroaches are reportedly a common sight, while leaks in archive rooms have left case files soaked, potentially damaging evidence. The building also lacks proper security controls, with no checks on people entering.
In Loulé, similar issues have been reported, including infestations and a shortage of parking spaces for staff. One prosecutor handling domestic violence cases is dealing with more than 500 files while also travelling regularly to Faro to cover for a colleague.
Courts in Lagos and Portimão are said to have outdated computers and equipment, offices with no air conditioning and ongoing water infiltration problems.
In Tavira and Silves, there are also no security gates or access control systems, allowing anyone to move freely through the buildings. In Tavira, the situation is made worse by a public toilet located directly in front of prosecutors’ offices.
“In light of all this, the Union of Public Prosecutors warns of the need for urgent intervention, including reinforcing staffing levels, restoring positions, improving working conditions and implementing appropriate security measures,” it says.
The union warned that without immediate action, the ability of the Public Prosecution Service to serve the people of the Algarve will be “seriously compromised”.
