Costa Rican justice: an evolving system that deserves our trust

In a global context where many democracies face institutional turbulence, the Costa Rican Judicial Branch maintains an outstanding position as a guarantor of rights, democratic balance and conflict resolution.
This is demonstrated by the State of Justice 2025 Report, a comprehensive document that evaluates judicial management between 2021 and 2024. This article highlights progress, examines persistent challenges, and makes recommendations to consolidate an independent, modern, and accessible justice system for all.

I. A credible system that resolves conflicts

The report confirms a mostly positive citizen perception of the justice system. Eighty percent of the people who interacted with the Judicial Branch rated it as "good" or "very good" and 71% felt that their problem was resolved fairly. In addition, the judicial resolution rate reached 93.7% of cases filed, exceeding the international standard of 90% recommended by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice.

The expansion of the electronic judicial file -already present in more than 70% of proceedings in key matters-, the modernization of management platforms and the development of Regional Observatories strengthen a vision of justice that is territorially sensitive and technologically aligned with the times.

II. Access to justice for women: progress and debts

One of the most valuable sections of the report is the one that analyzes the effective protection of rights in cases of violence against women. This chapter reveals significant advances in regulations and institutional specialization, but also identifies serious gaps in the care and protection of victims.
Some data are worrisome:

• About 20% of criminal cases are related to violence against women.
• Only 13% of complaints of sexual violence go to trial.
• Almost half of these trials end in an acquittal.
• Eighty-five percent of the aggressors had wages or assets, but only 8% of the cases included civil action for compensation.
• The duration of sexual crimes trials can exceed one year depending on the judicial circuit, exposing victims to revictimization.

The report recommends strengthening the Office of the Deputy Prosecutor for Gender, accelerating processes, improving victim support, investing in specialized expertise, creating budgets with a gender perspective and developing more agile and accessible inter-institutional systems of care. This is a social debt that the country must address with urgency and political commitment.

III. Is the Judicial Branch prepared for the future?

The report also makes a prospective reading of the challenges ahead. In this sense, Costa Rica’s Judicial Branch has shown positive signs, but it still needs to strengthen its capacities to face increasingly complex scenarios:

• Organized crime: The country is experiencing a sustained increase in homicides and complex crimes linked to criminal structures. In 2023 alone, more than 900 homicides were recorded, a record number. The Specialized Jurisdiction on Organized Crime is a step forward, but it needs to be strengthened with resources, trained personnel and better inter-institutional coordination.
• Artificial intelligence and digital transformation: Although the electronic docket has advanced, there is still a lack of predictive tools, automation of procedures and processes based on artificial intelligence to support administrative decisions or case classification.
• Increased judicial demand: The Legislative Assembly continues to assign new powers without additional funds. Incoming cases in juvenile criminal, domestic violence, health, and public services have grown significantly. If not acted upon, the load may compromise efficiency and quality of service.
• Human resources: There is evidence of high turnover in judicial personnel and difficulties in hiring qualified staff. This is critical in a system that depends so much on the integrity, experience and continuous training of its operators.
• Judicial budget: Despite representing 6% of the national budget (~$800 million), Costa Rica spends around $4,000 per judicial file, a high figure compared to countries such as Chile ($625), Mexico ($667) or Spain ($1,344). This figure can be interpreted as a reflection of a justice system that guarantees justice, but it also points to the need to evaluate the efficiency of spending.

Conclusion

The State of Justice 2025 Report shows that Costa Rica has a vigorous Judicial Branch, in constant evolution and with significant advances in access, digitalization and institutional response. Justice is not stagnant: it adapts, learns and responds.
But the report is also clear in warning that the future will bring greater demands. Only with strategic investment, modernization and ethical commitment will it be possible to ensure that the Judiciary remains a pillar of Costa Rican democracy.
The challenge is there. So is the opportunity.

blplegal.com