Starting April 30, 2025, the Brabant Wallon public prosecutor's office will provide only minimal service in court hearings as a protest against chronic underfunding of the justice system.

This announcement by Auditor Gautier Pijcke coincides with a national general strike and underscores the inadequate funding and proposed pension reforms for judges by the federal government.

The government's 'Easter Agreement' has proposed reforms to judicial staff pensions, which are compounding existing issues that deter potential candidates from entering the judiciary.

In response to these challenges, the labor auditor will cease attendance at labor court hearings and will request postponements for non-urgent cases in criminal and police courts.

In criminal and police courts, the prosecutor will seek postponements for all cases except urgent criminal matters, while civil and commercial cases will be managed on a limited basis.

A letter signed by 444 judges on April 22, 2025, highlighted severe shortages of human and material resources within the judicial system, pointing to a lack of funds for essential upgrades and supplies.

Pijcke emphasized that these actions aim to highlight the threat to judicial independence and integrity, warning of a potential weakening of judicial power and the rule of law in Belgium.