Sporrer Reforms Lay Judiciary: Preparation, Jurisdiction, AI

For her, however, one thing is clear: "Mein Ziel ist grundsätzlich, die Laiengerichtsbarkeit beizubehalten, weil es eine wichtige demokratische Errungenschaft war." She also took up the criticism from professional representatives that decisions by jurors can hardly be reviewed because the so-called verdict – the decision on the question of guilt – does not require justification. According to Sporrer, questions of jurisdiction are also part of the evaluation: "Das sind Fragen, die man sich stellen wird müssen", she said.

Lay Judge Courts and Property Offenses

Sporrer also indicated that it could involve a substantive focus: "Aber man muss sich natürlich anschauen, bei welchen Delikten", she said in the APA summer interview. According to the minister, the reform is to take into account, among other things, the workload of the courts, which is already increasing due to additional single-judge jurisdictions. "Das heißt, es müssen weniger Personen an einem Urteil mitarbeiten, weil ich jetzt mehr Einzelrichter-Zuständigkeit habe", said Sporrer.

As part of the "Aufgabenkritik" (Task Review) project, the professional representatives and higher regional courts have already submitted over 200 proposals for relief and efficiency increases to the Ministry of Justice. Of these, 63 were marked green in the traffic light system, meaning they can be implemented directly. "Da kommt noch einiges", said Sporrer. In the course of this first tranche, they had agreed on seven proposals. Smaller steps should not be underestimated: "Das klingt zwar jetzt natürlich nach: 'Sie bäckt jetzt kleine Brötchen'. Ja, wir backen halt jetzt kleine Brötchen, aber die stillen auch den Hunger."

Artificial Intelligence for Courts

Parallel to the reform discussion, other justice policy projects are underway. For example, lay judge courts will in the future only have jurisdiction over property offenses from a damage threshold of 100,000 euros. A change to the existing threshold would, however, mean massive additional effort that cannot be managed in view of the justice budget planned for the years 2027 and 2028.

The minister also referred to the use of artificial intelligence in the judiciary. At the beginning of next year, they want to "weitere Tools der künstlichen Intelligenz für die Gerichte und Behörden zur Verfügung stellen". Soon, AI will be able to be used directly in the case file for summarizing briefs and translations. This is also intended to help absorb the strained personnel situation, at least in part.

Federal Prosecutor's Office and Independence

The personnel situation is already strained: Although the judiciary, unlike most other ministries – except for education and the interior – did not have to give up any permanent positions. According to professional representatives, however, 250 judicial and 60 to 70 prosecutorial permanent positions are missing. In recent weeks and months, budget negotiations have tied up a lot of capacity and ensured "dass andere Themen hintangestellt wurden".

One of the biggest items in Sporrer's tenure so far was the presentation of a draft law for the Federal Prosecutor's Office a few weeks ago, which is open for consultation until the end of August. "Es kann sich noch alles Mögliche tun", she defended the draft. Her goal remains "die höchstmögliche Unabhängigkeit dieser neuen Bundesstaatsanwaltschaft". Until the expiration of the consultation deadline, they will "alle Stimmen hören" and take them into account accordingly.

She can take "sehr viel" from the proposal for a longer term of office for the organs of the Federal Prosecutor's Office. "Das sind die obersten Organe, die keinem Ministerium unterstellt sind", she emphasized. Concrete steps, however, depend on government coordination: The package is currently "in der Koordinierung", i.e., with the negotiating teams of the governing parties. "Weil wir in einer Dreierkoalition sind", emphasized Sporrer. "Wenn ich in der Koordinierung säße, dann wäre es morgen. Ich bin auch manchmal ungeduldig." But she is "hoffnungsvoll" that there will now be movement on the matter.

EU Criticism of Political Influence

Even before there is even a corresponding draft, the planned extension of the criminal liability of espionage activities has also caused criticism among the prosecutors. This project is also currently being negotiated politically. Only on Friday, the EU Commission criticized political influence on the Austrian judiciary in its 2026 Rule of Law Report.

Another topic is the succession of the presidency of the Administrative Court (VwGH). The VwGH President is to continue to be politically appointed. "Der VwGH-Präsident hat auch Budget- und Personalhoheit, daher braucht man dort eine demokratische Legitimierung durch die Bundesregierung", the ministry said on this matter. In addition, with the President and Vice President, it concerns only two of the 68 judges at the VwGH.

Administrative Court and Personnel Matters

Overall, it is clear that Sporrer is pushing forward or initiating numerous reforms in parallel. The speed of implementation depends significantly on coordination within the three-party coalition and on the ongoing budget negotiations for 2027 and 2028. The evaluation of the lay judiciary is only one building block in a larger justice policy package.

The EU Commission's Rule of Law Report is likely to create additional pressure. Sporrer indirectly picked up on the Brussels criticism of political influence on the judiciary by emphasizing the independence of the future Federal Prosecutor's Office. The Ministry of Justice also points out that the independence of the courts is to be strengthened by clear jurisdiction rules and improved information for lay judges.