Cape Verde Courts: 95% Resolution Rate Amid Rising Cases
Cape Verdean courts are keeping pace with a rising tide of litigation, handling 14,419 new cases during the 2025/2026 judicial year—a 5.9% increase over the previous period. Despite the heavier workload, the judiciary achieved an impressive 95.4% resolution rate, according to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ).
Efficiency Holding Back the Backlog
Bernardino Delgado, President of the CSMJ, presented these findings in the annual report on the state of justice delivered to the National Assembly on Wednesday. He noted that the high resolution rate was driven by the productivity of the nation’s magistrates, who averaged 335 decisions each throughout the year. This swift response capacity was critical in preventing a significant increase in the judicial backlog.
Delgado attributed the surge in new cases to several factors, including improved public access to the legal system and a growing trust in judicial institutions. However, he also warned that the lack of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is placing an unnecessary burden on the formal court system.
Calls for Reform: Justices of the Peace
To alleviate future pressure, Delgado suggested that Cape Verde could benefit from models used in other countries, such as the “Justices of the Peace” in Portugal and Brazil or “Community Courts” in the United States. These systems act as a first line of defense, resolving disputes before they escalate to a full court intervention.
Supreme Court Leads by Example
The Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) stood out as a highlight of the report, recording a reduction in pending cases for the third consecutive year. With only 303 cases pending and 537 decisions handed down during the review period, the STJ achieved a resolution rate of 217% relative to new entries.
Delgado praised the STJ’s performance, stating it should serve as a benchmark for first and second-instance courts across the country. He concluded by emphasizing that the judiciary operated with “institutional normality and functional independence,” a cornerstone for the democratic rule of law in Cape Verde.
Image: Pexels – KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA
