« No night rates, meal vouchers or day of Recup after night shift »: Ghent police judge sends all the defendants home in protest against the operation of justice (Ghent)

« The next case », the room guard of the Ghent police court shouts on Tuesday morning. The lawyer comes to the fore together with his client, but before they could wish the judge a good morning, he already stopped them. « Sorry, but we are going to postpone this case to April 28, 2026, on the edge of the reasonable period. It is a kind of protest action, » explains police judge Miguel Ureel. « I count on your understanding. »

Police judge Miguel Ureel sent various defendants on Tuesday who had to appear home. He postponed all things. To be clear: the judge only postponed the new cases, about fifteen. It concerned small speeding violations and problems with the inspection. « We have not postponed serious violations such as alcohol intoxication or serious crimes, » it sounds. The current affairs were dealt with.

« No benefits »

The delay was a conscious choice to give a clear signal. The judge criticizes the current effect of justice. He was talking about the inadequate infrastructure of some court buildings. « In Brussels we were in a room where the walls were moldy, » he says. « And there was also bad lighting. »

But also the fact that functions are filled slowly when people get on, the recent decisions concerning pensions disturbs him. And then there is the fact that many magistrates work hard, but do not get anything of benefits. « No night rates, no meal vouchers or not a day of Recup if you have done a night shift. There are many magistrates who work 50 or 60 hours a week, but don’t get much in return. »

Punishing not performed

What Ureel also finds frustrating is that pronounced penalties are often not performed. He wonders what signal that is actually for victims or relatives who are left behind.

The judge acknowledged that this is annoying for the people present in the room, but he wanted to make it clear that it cannot continue like this. It was a symbolic and one -off action on Tuesday. The judge wanted to make a point.

Reasonable period

Lawyer Nelson Vanlocke also saw his case being postponed for a year. His client had to appear for a small speed violation. « Actually a fairly simple thing, » he says. « There is a photo of the number plate and the motorist. It is clear who the driver was. »

In April 2026 the facts will be almost two years ago, says Vanlocke. This may result in the reasonable period of the handling of the case exceeded. The defendant can then receive a sentence or even remission. This can also be the result of other things that were postponed for a year on Tuesday.

Read too. Displeased magistrate has used the hunt for corrupt officials and politicians

The action of the Ghent police judge comes one day after that of Brussels attorney Julien Moinil who announced that he would only focus on corruption with the government. According to Moinil, the judiciary gets too few public means to be able to control all the needs in the big city. Read: if you don’t give us extra money, we will come and get it.