Gabriel Oliver: "Administering justice in Catalan is still not the norm in the Balearic Islands"

Judge Gabriel Oliver Koppen took office as president of the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands last September. During the ceremony, the civil law expert delivered his speech entirely in Catalan and was accompanied by a choir. He replaced Judge Diego Gómez-Reino, who currently serves on the Civil and Criminal Chamber of the High Court of Justice of the Balearic Islands. Oliver entered the judiciary in 1994 and his first posting was to the Court of First Instance and Preliminary Investigation in Ripoll, Catalonia. He also served in the Courts of First Instance and Preliminary Investigation in Manacor and Inca. In Barcelona, ​​he rose from judge to magistrate and later returned to Palma, where he joined the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands. You assumed the presidency of the High Court last September and delivered your inaugural address entirely in Catalan. How do you assess the state of the Catalan language in the justice system?

— Justice in Catalan remains an unresolved challenge. It is clear that Catalan is not a widely used language in the judicial system, but citizens must know they have the right to use it. Steps must be taken gradually to integrate Catalan more fully into the justice system, something that is not yet the case.

There are initiatives to raise awareness of this right, especially among legal professionals and within universities. What could be done to make further progress?

— Some steps have been taken, such as legal language courses in Catalan. I've even taken some myself. This is the way forward: training. It would also be very important for the software used in the courts to be fully bilingual. When the entire procedure is conducted in Spanish, it's very difficult to incorporate Catalan seamlessly afterward.

Do you think there could be problems if a citizen wants to address the justice system in Catalan?

— I don't believe it will be a problem today. If necessary, there are provisions in place for officials to provide interpretation services. The law is there and must be guaranteed.

He has been a judge for over thirty years. What has changed the most since he started?

— Above all, the organization and technology. We've moved from paper files to electronic records, with much easier access to case law and legislation. There have also been many legislative changes, and we are now immersed in a profound reform of the judicial system.

Where does the digitization process in the justice system stand? Has artificial intelligence arrived?

— Today we work virtually paperless, which is a major step forward. The next big challenge is incorporating artificial intelligence as a support tool, always with the understanding that the final decision must rest with the judge. Artificial intelligence can help improve efficiency, but it cannot replace judicial judgment.

Has AI started to be used in the courts?

— Yes, it is mainly being implemented to streamline the whole admissions process for some issues, but never to enforce the law.

Do you think the new law on the efficiency of the justice system will help reduce delays in the lower courts?

— This reform, which has been in the works for many years, represents a profound change. The goal is to increase efficiency and allow for an increase in judicial positions without creating new courts. It is a complex but necessary adaptation process.

Has this change already begun to be noticeable in the Provincial Court?

— The change began on January 1st and has involved a significant reorganization of staff and procedures. At the High Court, the impact is more limited, but it has still been a significant change, especially for the management of temporary civil servants, of whom there are many in the Balearic Islands.

In 25 years, the population of the Balearic Islands has grown by more than 200,000 people. How many courts or resources are needed to handle that workload?

— Each year, the judicial report includes a forecast of needs. It mentioned a new position at the Provincial Court and about twenty courts of first instance. The population increase has a clear impact on the number of cases, as is also the case with other public services.

There are courts, like the social court, with appointments already scheduled for 2027. How does this affect the quality of justice?

— This is not a new problem. This delay is closely linked to social jurisdiction and economic crises. It is not an unforeseen situation, but a structural one.

Does insularity exacerbate this situation?

— Yes, especially because of the housing problem and the cost of living. This makes it difficult for judges and civil servants to want to settle in the Islands. The island allowance is very low; it should be reviewed.

In the current context of political polarization, what role should justice play?

— Justice is a fundamental institution of a democratic society. Our responsibility is to maintain independence, impartiality, and transparency.

Does the public have enough confidence in the justice system?

— We live in a time of widespread distrust of institutions, and the justice system is no exception. One of the pending tasks is to issue clearer and more understandable rulings for citizens, because this can help build greater trust.

Regarding gender-based violence, do the courts have sufficient resources?

— The number of courts specializing in violence against women has recently increased. In Palma, four courts are now operating, and a dedicated on-call system has been implemented. This allows cases to be handled from the outset by specialized judges, which is a significant step forward.

And what about immigration and foreign affairs?

— The court receives mostly cases related to boat captains; many of them are extradited, and some are repeat offenders. It's a phenomenon that has gone from being marginal to skyrocketing.