Editorial photo #13573493 Crime, Law and Justice
Toulouse Lawyers Strike on 'Dead Justice' Day
Magistrates' and lawyers' unions, including the Syndicat de la Magistrature, SAF, and UJA, call for a strike and gathering outside the Courthouse of Toulouse, as well as in other locations across France, for a 'justice dead' day in Toulouse, France, on April 13, 2026. The protest responds to a proposed law by Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, which is being voted on in the French Senate. The law would allow a 'plead guilty' option for nearly all crimes, including rape and murder, bypassing the jury system. This change would reduce the role of victims, witnesses, and experts in court proceedings, as hearings would be eliminated unless the accused rejects the prosecutor's proposal. Magistrates and lawyers express concerns over the impact on their roles, acknowledging the slow pace of justice but highlighting a shortage of 19 court clerks in Toulouse. This marks the first joint strike by the two magistracy unions, SM and USM, in years. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)
