Delays, lack of resources and instability: the major challenges facing the justice system in 2026 (with César Sá Esteves and Octávio Castelo Paulo)

On the other hand, the managing partners of SRS Legal, César Sá Esteves and Octávio Castelo Paulo, consider that it is ‘essential’ to strengthen legal literacy, both in society and among professionals themselves, so that justice is perceived as ‘structuring and not as an opaque system’. ‘The fight against the “enemies” of justice does not involve more regulation – often excessive – but a culture of responsibility, transparency and proximity,’ they stress.

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"Trust is not regained with explanations about delays, but with faster, simpler and more results-oriented ways of working. It is necessary to set clear performance targets, monitor response times and hold people accountable for non-compliance,‘ point out the managing partners of SRS. César Sá Esteves and Octávio Castelo Paulo emphasise that investing in alternative dispute resolution is ’equally crucial", as it frees up the courts for matters that require judicial intervention. The dignification of the public defender is another decisive element in ensuring a ‘true right of defence’.

‘It is important to improve internal and external communication and use artificial intelligence as a tool to support procedural processing and management, always with a clear ethical and regulatory framework that ensures transparency, security and proportionality,’ they add.