Court of Justice 2024 Budget Review

Parliament's Decision on the Court of Justice (CJEU)

The European Parliament has approved the "discharge" of the CJEU for the 2024 financial year. This means the Parliament confirmed that the Court spent its budget correctly, its accounts are reliable, and it followed EU rules.

Financial Overview

• Total Budget: The CJEU's budget was €503.8 million in 2024, an increase from €487.5 million in 2023.
• Spending Focus: The largest expense remains personnel costs (salaries and pensions), which account for about 80% of the budget.
• Spending Rate: The Court spent almost all the money it was given, with an implementation rate of 97.72%.

Workload and Operations

The Court handled a significant increase in cases in 2024:

• New Cases: 920 new cases were recorded (up from 821 in 2023).
• Cases Closed: 863 cases were closed (up from 783).
• Case Duration: The average time to resolve a case was 17.7 months. However, urgent cases saw a reduction in time, now taking 3.3 months (down from 4.3 months).

The Court also implemented several improvements:

• Digital Tools: Online filing (e-Curia) was used for 91% of documents. A new "One-stop-shop" software was launched to speed up case handling.
• Workload Balance: Some preliminary-ruling work was transferred to the General Court to balance the workload.

Staff and Equality

The Court is actively working on staff diversity and well-being:

• Staff Numbers: There were 1,354 officials, with 60% being women.
• Gender Balance: While women make up 60% of the staff, they only represent 35% in senior roles, which the Parliament noted needs improvement.
• Recruitment: The Parliament requested that trainee salaries be adjusted to match EU standards, as some trainees declined offers due to high living costs.
• Training: The Court is focusing on staff training, including a new Code of Conduct.

Transparency and Ethics

The Court has made efforts to increase public trust and transparency:

• Ethics: A new Code of Conduct was adopted in March 2024, covering conflicts of interest and confidentiality.
• Public Access: Judges must publish their declarations of interest online, and the policy for recusing judges with conflicts is mandatory.
• Accessibility: Hearings are now live and recorded on the Curia website.

Technology and Environment

The Court is investing in modernizing its operations:

• Digitalization: The Court is implementing AI assistants in all departments, accompanied by strict rules to protect the independence of judicial decisions.
• Cybersecurity: While spending on projects decreased, the focus on services increased, and the Court analyzed 142 incidents per month.
• Sustainability: The Court reported significant environmental improvements, including:
  • An 18% reduction in energy costs compared to forecasts.
  • Using only renewable energy for electricity and biomass for heating.
  • A 64% drop in paper consumption.

Cooperation and Outreach

The Court works closely with other EU bodies and the public:

• Internal Cooperation: Services like IT, HR, and finance are shared with the Commission and Parliament.
• Public Engagement: The Court saw 16,319 visitors in 2024. Its online presence grew significantly, with major increases in YouTube views and LinkedIn followers.

Summary of Findings

Overall, the Parliament was satisfied with the Court's financial management, its commitment to transparency, and its progress in digital tools and sustainability. Areas identified for future improvement include:

• Long-term planning for personnel costs.
• Improving gender balance in senior leadership.
• Providing more comprehensive training on ethics and AI.
• Making case law clearer and easier for the public to understand.

Broader context

The discharge procedure is an annual process where the European Parliament reviews how EU institutions, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), have managed their budgets. This ensures accountability, transparency, and compliance with EU financial rules. The CJEU is the EU’s highest court, responsible for interpreting EU law and ensuring its uniform application across all member states.

The 2024 discharge confirms that the CJEU’s spending was lawful, efficient, and aligned with EU priorities, such as digitalization, sustainability, and gender equality. The CJEU’s role is critical in upholding the rule of law in the EU, resolving disputes between member states, EU institutions, and citizens or companies.

The budget increase (3.66%) reflects rising costs, particularly for salaries and pensions, which dominate the CJEU’s expenses. The workload growth (920 new cases in 2024) highlights the increasing demand for the Court’s services, driven by the expanding scope of EU law and its enforcement.

The digital and ethical reforms (e.g., e-Curia, AI assistants, Code of Conduct) aim to modernize the Court’s operations while maintaining independence, fairness, and transparency. These changes are part of a broader EU-wide push to improve efficiency, accessibility, and trust in EU institutions.

Impact on people living in the EU

The CJEU’s work directly affects EU citizens, businesses, and member states by ensuring that EU laws are applied consistently and fairly. Here’s how this discharge decision impacts people in the EU:

Access to justice
The CJEU’s streamlined digital tools (e.g., e-Curia, One-stop-shop software) make it easier for citizens and businesses to file cases, access documents, and follow proceedings online. Live-streamed hearings and simplified case-law summaries improve transparency, helping people understand how EU law affects them.

Faster resolutions
The reduction in urgent case processing time (from 4.3 to 3.3 months) means that time-sensitive disputes (e.g., those involving fundamental rights or business regulations) are resolved more quickly, benefiting individuals and companies seeking legal clarity.

Ethics and trust
The Code of Conduct, declarations of interest, and recusal policies strengthen public trust in the Court’s impartiality and integrity. Citizens can now access judges’ declarations of interest online, ensuring greater accountability.

Sustainability
The CJEU’s environmental initiatives (e.g., renewable energy, paper reduction, green procurement) contribute to the EU’s climate goals. While these changes primarily affect the Court’s operations, they align with broader EU policies that benefit all residents through cleaner energy and reduced waste.

Gender equality
The push for more women in senior roles and better trainee pay sets an example for workplace equality across the EU. Improving gender balance in leadership positions can inspire similar changes in other EU institutions and national courts.

Digital and AI readiness
The AI pilot project and training on AI ethics prepare the Court for future challenges, ensuring that new technologies are used responsibly. This benefits EU citizens by promoting fair and unbiased decision-making in cases involving AI or digital rights.

Public engagement
The CJEU’s expanded social media presence and multilingual resources make its work more accessible, especially to younger audiences and non-legal experts. This helps citizens stay informed about their rights and the EU’s legal system.