Judicial Budget Cut Impact in Costa Rica
Abraham Balzer, Senior Counsel, and Josué Calvo, Paralegal of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team at ARIAS Costa Rica, present this article on the impact that the recent budget cuts applied to the Costa Rican Judiciary will have on the processing of judicial proceedings.
The Judicial Branch of the Republic of Costa Rica will face a reduction equivalent to 42% of its available operating budget for the second half of 2026. On July 13, the Ministry of Finance announced a budget reduction of ₡3,053 million (three thousand fifty-three million colones) for the institution, in addition to the ₡13,220 million (thirteen thousand two hundred twenty million colones) reduction previously approved by a majority vote of the Full Court (Corte Plena).
Taken together, these measures represent a total reduction of ₡16,273 million (sixteen thousand two hundred seventy-three million colones) in the Judicial Branch’s budget for this year. This budget reduction could directly affect the processing of judicial proceedings, at a time when the country’s courts are already facing significant case backlogs.
The institution itself has warned of several of the main repercussions that this measure may generate. Among them are limitations in technology and infrastructure, which would affect the renewal and maintenance of equipment essential to daily operations. In addition, a reduction is expected in the resources allocated to expert examinations, searches, judicial inspections, and the collection of evidence.
Furthermore, the budget cut could limit the availability of resources to cover travel allowances, accommodation, and transportation for personnel involved in criminal investigations. This situation could lead to delays in the development of investigations and affect the responsiveness of the agencies responsible for investigating and clarifying criminal offenses.
These circumstances arise at a time when the demand for access to justice continues to increase. As a result, operational restrictions such as the postponement of hearings, the reduction of support services, and limitations on institutional resources could worsen the existing judicial backlog and further extend case resolution times.
This situation poses additional challenges to the effective protection of fundamental principles of the justice system, such as the right to prompt and effective justice and procedural expeditiousness. These are principles whose full realization has already faced significant challenges in recent years and which could be further compromised by the Judicial Branch’s current budgetary constraints.
The Judicial Branch of the Republic of Costa Rica will face a reduction equivalent to 42% of its available operating budget for the second half of 2026. On July 13, the Ministry of Finance announced a budget reduction of ₡3,053 million (three thousand fifty-three million colones) for the institution, in addition to the ₡13,220 million (thirteen thousand two hundred twenty million colones) reduction previously approved by a majority vote of the Full Court (Corte Plena).
Taken together, these measures represent a total reduction of ₡16,273 million (sixteen thousand two hundred seventy-three million colones) in the Judicial Branch’s budget for this year. This budget reduction could directly affect the processing of judicial proceedings, at a time when the country’s courts are already facing significant case backlogs.
The institution itself has warned of several of the main repercussions that this measure may generate. Among them are limitations in technology and infrastructure, which would affect the renewal and maintenance of equipment essential to daily operations. In addition, a reduction is expected in the resources allocated to expert examinations, searches, judicial inspections, and the collection of evidence.
Furthermore, the budget cut could limit the availability of resources to cover travel allowances, accommodation, and transportation for personnel involved in criminal investigations. This situation could lead to delays in the development of investigations and affect the responsiveness of the agencies responsible for investigating and clarifying criminal offenses.
These circumstances arise at a time when the demand for access to justice continues to increase. As a result, operational restrictions such as the postponement of hearings, the reduction of support services, and limitations on institutional resources could worsen the existing judicial backlog and further extend case resolution times.
This situation poses additional challenges to the effective protection of fundamental principles of the justice system, such as the right to prompt and effective justice and procedural expeditiousness. These are principles whose full realization has already faced significant challenges in recent years and which could be further compromised by the Judicial Branch’s current budgetary constraints.