A dispute over the payment of magistrates’ salaries has triggered a wave of work stoppages at courts across Albania, with judges challenging the situation before the country’s Administrative Court.

The Administrative Court is reviewing appeals filed by several courts over the failure to pay magistrates. In one of the first developments, the court is reported to have ordered the Treasury and Finance authorities to release salaries owed to judges of Albania’s Special Court of First Instance, known as GJKKO.

The dispute escalated after magistrates began taking action over what they say are unpaid salaries for services provided to citizens. The initial request was reportedly filed by GJKKO, with the Administrative Court subsequently ordering that the judges’ payments be unblocked.

The salary dispute has since spread to courts in several parts of the country.

Judges at the Lushnja court were among the first to suspend their work. Courts in Durrës and Berat, as well as judges at Tirana’s Administrative Court of Appeal, have also reportedly halted proceedings.

The action has now extended to southern Albania, including Fier, Vlora and Berat, as judges continue to demand payment of their salaries.

In Vlora, judicial services are reportedly being provided for only around 15 minutes a day, while in Fier regular services have largely been suspended, causing frustration among citizens seeking access to the courts. The Fier court is nevertheless reported to be continuing to handle urgent cases.

Court administration officials in Fier have said the dispute is not limited to the immediate release of unpaid salaries. They are also demanding higher pay, arguing that magistrates’ salaries are comparatively low.

The work stoppages were continuing on Friday, with no clear indication yet of when normal judicial activity will resume.