Monaco Opens 2025-2026 Judicial Year Amidst Rising Litigation and Plans for Judicial Reserve

Monaco officially inaugurated its 2025-2026 judicial year on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with a solemn ceremony held at the Palais de Justice. The event was graced by the presence of Prince Albert II, alongside other prominent figures including Christophe Mirmand, Minister of State, and Thomas Brezzo, President of the National Council. The opening, which followed a traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit at Monaco Cathedral, focused on a reported surge in judicial activity and the strategic proposal for a new judicial reserve.

Significant Increase in Judicial Activity Reported

During the ceremony, Francis Jullemier-Millasseau, First President of the Court of Appeal, and Stéphane Thibault, Attorney General, presented reports detailing a notable rise in litigation across various judicial sectors. The Court of Appeal saw a 10% increase in civil cases, delivering 135 rulings compared to 123 the previous year. Investigating offices experienced a more than doubling of their activity, completing 96 cases against 46 in the prior period. The Council Chamber recorded a nearly 35% increase with 181 rulings, while the Court of First Instance concluded 526 civil cases and 409 criminal verdicts.

Attorney General Stéphane Thibault further revealed a substantial 34% increase in complaints and reports over the past two years, largely attributed to an intensified focus on financial crime. Money laundering convictions have seen a significant rise, from just four in 2022 to 29 in 2024, with 28 already recorded in 2025. The Prosecutor's Office is actively managing assets totaling nearly €120 million seized in ongoing cases, in addition to €531 million seized in investigation chambers.

Proposal for a Judicial Reserve to Address Workload

A key discussion point during the opening of the judicial year was the proposed creation of a 'judicial reserve'. This initiative aims to bolster the staffing of the Court of First Instance, which is currently understaffed, and the Court of Appeal. The reserve would comprise experienced honorary magistrates, drawing inspiration from France's system of temporary magistrates. A government bill, No. 1.109, has been put forward to establish this reserve, with the goal of accelerating sensitive cases and alleviating bottlenecks within the judicial system. This measure is also intended to address recommendations from international bodies such as MONEYVAL and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Reserve magistrates would be former judges of Monegasque or French nationality with over 15 years of experience, serving temporarily in various courts.

Focus on Financial Crime, Modernization, and Training

The Attorney General underscored Monaco's ongoing efforts to be removed from the FATF grey list, noting significant progress in implementing the required action plan. Beyond staffing, the modernization of judicial resources was also highlighted, including the adoption of tools like Lexis Nexis 360 Intelligence and the strategic integration of artificial intelligence as an assistive technology. The role of the Institut Monégasque de Formation aux Professions Judiciaires (IMFPJ) was also emphasized, as it opened enrollment for its 2025-2026 legal programs, underscoring its commitment to continuous training for legal professionals in a dynamic legal environment. Francis Jullemier-Millasseau reiterated the fundamental importance of judicial independence and the rule of law, quoting Montesquieu to emphasize that 'the independence of the judiciary is an essential element of the rule of law'.