Saxony-Anhalt: Millions lost due to digital glitches in the judiciary!

Saxony-Anhalt: Millions lost due to digital glitches in the judiciary!

In Saxony-Anhalt the signs point to change – but not without challenges. The country's judiciary has set ambitious goals, including less paper, reduced costs and greater efficiency. But the road there turns out to be rocky, as the current report in the People's voice illuminated.

Administrative costs at ordinary courts and public prosecutor's offices will rise by a whopping 850,000 euros this year compared to 2022. Postage and telephone costs are also rising sharply, with an increase of 700,000 euros. These additional costs are just the tip of the iceberg, as there are also high personnel costs. Despite the obligation for lawyers and notaries to submit documents electronically since 2022, these are often printed out and sent in paper form. The Association of Judges and Prosecutors has criticized the fact that the courts are now acting like printing presses.

Causes of the problems

The background to this misery is complex and includes strategic wrong decisions, personnel shortages and a massive underestimation of the effort. In 2024, over 20 million euros flowed into the digitalization of the justice system - but progress remains minimal, to say the least. The parallel use of analog and digital systems not only leads to more bureaucracy, but also to a confusing and expensive administrative process.

Although the Justice Department has acknowledged that savings from efficient operations may only materialize years later, it is uncertain whether the financial benefits of digitalization will even materialize. The Taxpayers' Association expresses sharp criticism of the high investments and the growing financial damage caused by political failures. The delayed introduction of e-files in particular is perceived as a symbol of missed opportunities and a grave for millions.

The Taxpayers' Black Book

The example of tax waste and inefficient use of public money documented in the Black Book reflects a larger problem. The investments in digitalization are considerable, but the hoped-for progress falls by the wayside. With these challenges it is clear: there is still a lot of work ahead for the justice system in Saxony-Anhalt.

Away from these topics, previous reports have discussed... Yahoo Japan found that from April 6, 2022, many services will no longer be available in Europe. This shows how digital challenges can also be influenced by regional circumstances. Even in the digital space, users are faced with the challenge of dealing with data protection guidelines Yahoo which promise transparent handling, particularly for the processing of user data.

Overall, it is clear that the justice system in Saxony-Anhalt can only achieve its goals if it seriously analyzes and addresses the cause of its problems. This requires responsible use of resources and clear priorities in the implementation of digitalization.