The Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court in Spain has declared itself in a state of 'collapse' due to the overwhelming number of pending cases, specifically over 4,000 related to the truck cartel litigation. In a recent decision, the chamber announced that these cases would be sent to mediation, empowering the involved parties to negotiate their settlements, as the court believes there is already sufficient legal doctrine established regarding the key issues in this matter. This decision underscores an ongoing challenge faced by the Spanish judicial system in managing an ever-increasing caseload, with the court citing a particularly drastic rise in the volume of cases over the past five years.

The magistrates of the Civil Chamber highlighted that the court has seen a 'disproportionate growth in litigation', which has led to operational challenges and an inability to cope with the influx of new cases. Last year alone, 13,008 new cases were registered, and the chamber emphasized that this figure is unsustainable given its current resources. The situation has prompted a rethink of how to handle such a flood of litigations, especially for cases that could be resolved through alternatives like mediation rather than lengthy court proceedings.

This referral of cases to mediation may have significant implications for the Spanish legal landscape. It could potentially streamline the judicial process, allow for quicker resolutions, and reduce the backlog in courts. However, it also raises questions about access to justice and the efficacy of mediation as a means of dealing with complex legal disputes. The Supreme Court's measures reflect a growing awareness of the limitations within the judicial system and the need for reforms to handle the increasing demands effectively.