The Invisible Engines of Justice Judicial assistants in Serbia are highly educated legal professionals crucial to the functioning of the justice system, handling tasks akin to judges but for a fraction of the pay. Despite their vital role and the fact that most future judges come from their ranks, they face low salaries, temporary employment, and a lack of career progression, leading to a “silent catastrophe” of talent drain. This situation is presented as a threat to the existence of the legal state, with the risk of empty courtrooms and the erosion of justice for citizens if their position is not improved.

• Judicial assistants are highly educated legal professionals with a law degree and a bar exam, forming the backbone of Serbia’s judiciary.
• They perform duties similar to judges but receive significantly lower pay, with starting salaries below the national average.
• Many judicial assistants begin their careers as unpaid volunteers.
• A quarter of the approximately 1,700 judicial assistants in Serbia work on fixed-term contracts, leading to job insecurity.
• The low pay and precarious employment status are causing a brain drain, with legal professionals leaving for better-paying jobs elsewhere.
• This situation is seen as a threat to the future of the judiciary, as most future judges are drawn from these ranks.
• The article calls for an end to unpaid volunteering, fair salaries, and stable employment for judicial assistants to preserve the legal state.
• Failure to address these issues could lead to empty courtrooms and a loss of access to justice for citizens.