WILLEMSTAD – The Joint Court of Justice for the Dutch Caribbean islands reports a slight decrease in the total number of new court cases in 2024, dropping from over 37,000 to just above 35,000. However, the Court warns in its annual report that the actual workload is increasing due to the growing complexity of cases and additional responsibilities such as supervision, training, and quality assurance. The current methods of measuring case difficulty are inadequate, the Court states. 

The most notable decline was seen in minor offense cases, particularly in Curaçao and Aruba. Additionally, for the first time since 2020, there was also a decrease in payment order cases—typically straightforward claims for unpaid debts—with over 2,000 fewer cases filed compared to 2023. 

Tax Disputes on the Rise 

In contrast, the number of tax-related cases has surged. After a sharp decline in 2023—especially on Curaçao—the figure nearly doubled in 2024. Aruba has also seen a steady rise in tax cases since 2022. The increase in these complex cases has contributed to a growing case backlog, meaning more cases are still awaiting resolution. 

Another area of concern is the number of civil service disputes. These dropped significantly in 2024 compared to 2023, when the Court was confronted with a wave of cases stemming from a labor conflict between customs officers and the Aruban government. 

Appeals and Administrative Cases Growing 

The total number of appeals rose slightly in 2024. While civil appeal cases declined marginally, administrative appeals, such as tax and civil servant matters, saw a significant increase. In total, the Court handled over 1,300 new appeal cases this year. 

The Court emphasizes that case numbers alone do not fully reflect the pressure on the judicial system. Apart from formal court cases, judges and staff are tasked with oversight roles for guardians, trustees, and notaries, as well as conducting internal training programs. These additional duties are not currently included in official workload metrics. 

To address the growing demands and safeguard the Court's operations, the Draft Budget for 2026 and multi-year budget through 2029 have been set “higher than in previous years,” the report notes. 

The Joint Court underscores the need for updated workload assessments and sustainable funding to meet its expanding role across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.