Behind the counter, it has been empty of judges, with Chief Judge Vendela Enmarker stating that since last summer, she has been alone there, according to SVT Gävleborg (official). This shortage has left a pile of cases pending for nearly a year, though the exact amount of this backlog has not been disclosed. Three years ago, the district court moved into its new stately building next to Lillfjärden in Hudiksvall, but despite many attempts to advertise the positions, no one has taken the bait, according to official sources.
The specific reasons why no one applied for the judge positions despite advertising remain unclear. To combat this, the Swedish Courts Administration has decided that those who apply to the court will receive extra money on their salary for one year, an exceptional solution, as described by Vendela Enmarker to SVT Gävleborg (official). This incentive has yielded results, according to official sources, with four new judges soon to be in place who can tackle the pending cases.
Since last summer, I have been alone here.
The identities of these four new judges have not been revealed, and how much extra salary they will receive for working in Hudiksvall is unknown. The reaction from one of the defense attorneys about the problem being solved has not been reported.
It is an exceptional solution.