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Toulouse Lawyers Strike on 'Dead Justice' Day

Banners reading 'Dead justice' and 'Mobilized lawyers' are displayed during a gathering outside the Courthouse of Toulouse, France, on April 13, 2026. All justice unions, including the Syndicat de la Magistrature and lawyers' groups such as SAF and UJA, call for a strike and a nationwide 'justice dead' day. The protest responds to a proposed law by French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, which is being voted on in the French Senate. The law would bypass the jury system and introduce a 'plead guilty' option for nearly all crimes, including rape and murder, reducing the role of victims, witnesses, and experts in court proceedings. Magistrates and lawyers express concerns over the impact on their professions and the justice system, acknowledging issues with slow judicial processes and a shortage of court clerks, such as the 19 missing in Toulouse. This marks the first joint strike by the two magistracy unions, SM and USM, in years. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13573522
Date Taken	13 April 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Alain Pitton/NurPhoto
Category	Crime, Law and Justice
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto

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