The Spanish administration of justice remains in turmoil following a significant power outage that struck the entire country on April 28, 2025. Despite the restoration of electricity, critical digital platforms essential for judicial operations, namely Lexnet and Minerva, are still non-functional, causing severe disruptions in court activities.
The Ministry of Justice issued a statement confirming that anomalies occurred in the Lexnet service during the outage, which has led to procedural delays across the nation. According to Article 16 of Royal Decree 1065/2015, these anomalies justify the suspension of deadlines for procedural actions on April 28 and 29, allowing legal representatives to submit documents on the first business day following the incident.
The General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) convened to address the chaos resulting from the blackout, declaring both April 28 and 29 as non-working days for judicial processes due to "force majeure". This decision was made to ensure that urgent legal actions could still proceed despite the disruptions, with the council emphasizing that the suspension would not impede the valid execution of urgent and unpostponable procedural acts.
In Burgos, the courts managed to hold hearings until after 2 p.m. on April 28, utilizing generators to maintain operations temporarily. However, as of April 29, the situation worsened, with courts across the country reporting that neither Lexnet nor Minerva was operational, leaving judicial staff without access to essential case documents and notifications.
The CGPJ's unprecedented decision to halt procedural deadlines aims to safeguard legal rights and prevent potential injustices arising from the technical failures. While the suspension of deadlines is a significant step, it does not eliminate the backlog of cases that have accumulated during this crisis. Legal professionals are expressing growing concerns about the long-term implications of these delays on an already overwhelmed judicial system.
Lexnet, a secure telecommunications system established by the Ministry of Justice, has been a pivotal tool for electronic filing and communication between judicial entities since its gradual implementation began in 2004. Its failure, alongside Minerva, which manages judicial processes and documentation, highlights the increasing reliance of Spanish courts on digital solutions. This incident underscores the urgent need for robust contingency protocols to mitigate the impact of such technological failures in the future.
As the Ministry of Justice scrambles to restore service, some courts have resorted to traditional methods to handle urgent matters. Physical document submissions, fax communications, and even emails are being utilized as temporary measures to address immediate needs. However, these alternatives are insufficient for maintaining normal operations, particularly in larger urban centers where case volumes are high.
The blackout has exposed vulnerabilities in the Spanish judicial system, prompting discussions about the necessity for improved backup systems and response strategies to technological disruptions. Legal experts note that the current crisis could lead to repercussions that extend beyond the immediate suspension of deadlines, potentially exacerbating the already heavy workload faced by courts.
In Salamanca, the impact of the blackout has been particularly pronounced. With all judicial operations paralyzed, only the hearing recording system remains functional, allowing some trials to proceed. However, consultations, notifications, and other essential tasks remain at a standstill, creating a backlog that could take weeks or even months to resolve.
The CGPJ has indicated that it will continue to assess the situation and may extend the suspension of deadlines based on ongoing circumstances. They have assured that any absence of legal representatives during this period will be considered justified due to the extraordinary circumstances.
As the judicial system grapples with this unprecedented challenge, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring that justice is not compromised. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for resilience in the face of technological vulnerabilities and the importance of having contingency plans in place for future disruptions.
In the coming days, courts will be closely monitored to gauge the effectiveness of alternative measures and the timeline for restoring full functionality to Lexnet and Minerva. The legal community is hopeful that swift action will be taken to rectify the situation and mitigate the impact on the administration of justice across Spain.
