UPDATE: Project details updated during the EPSA 2025-26 edition. Awarded Special Recognition for continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.
Context
The needs that drove the creation of the ‘Justice Folder’ project related to the dispersion and difficulty of access to information in the field of the administration of justice in Spain. In the past, information related to judicial proceedings was scattered across different systems. This made it difficult for users to access information relevant to their cases, generating a lack of efficiency in the Spanish judicial system and the need for citizens and professional groups to attend court headquarters in person.
Objectives
The main objective of the Justice Folder project is to make accessible and transparent the information in the field of the administration of justice, positioning citizens at the centre at all times. In addition, this project seeks to improve accessibility to justice and the quality of the management of judicial affairs in the country. In the Justice Folder, users can consult information about different services and procedures related to the administration of justice. They can also maintain communication with the organisations that comprise it, access personal data and previous appointments, and obtain information about procedures and notifications pending reading, as well as the status of judicial files. It offers a personalised service in each contact, regardless of the territory. It allows, in an agile and simple way, without the need to register and through a secure identification system, access to the digital procedures and benefits offered by the Public Justice Service. The query can be carried out in real time and at the user’s request.
Implementation
This Justice Folder project has been developed in collaboration with all administrations with powers in the administration of justice. It has been developed within the framework of Spain’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, which provides financing for its implementation.
The Justice Folder underwent a pilot testing phase in the third quarter of 2023, during which user feedback was actively sought to refine and optimise the service. Following the successful conclusion of the testing period and necessary improvements, the Justice Folder was officially launched to the public in October 2023. Currently it has more than 60 000 users and allows access to more than 1.8 million judicial procedures open to citizens. It is generating a more accessible, efficient and greener justice system, as the initiatives framed in the project avoid travel and unnecessary energy consumption, reducing CO2 emissions.
Developments
Since the initial submission, Justice Folder has undergone a deep consolidation process, transforming a service originally focused on case file consultation into a national key service within the Justice Administration’s digitalisation strategy. This evolution has been supported by organisational changes, increased resources, and strategic planning aimed at long-term institutionalisation.
Organisationally, the project is managed by the Directorate-General for Digital Transformation of the Administration of Justice, where a dedicated product office oversees the entire service lifecycle. This office includes an interdisciplinary team combining expertise in justice, application development, accessibility, and user experience, and works together with cross-cutting units (including Quality and Cybersecurity). The Ministry relies on a co-governance framework with autonomous communities through the State Technical Committee for Electronic Judicial Administration.
One of the most relevant advances since the initial proposal has been the incorporation of artificial intelligence solutions, such as document summarisation and anonymisation. A notable tool is the Plain Language Document Summary Service, which presents legal information in a more accessible manner, reducing barriers for users unfamiliar with legal terminology.
Another AI-driven service is the Document Anonymiser, which removes personally identifiable information from legal documents so they can be shared safely, fully complying with data protection regulations. This tool is highly useful both to judicial staff and legal professionals who previously carried out anonymisation manually.
A further key axis has been the progressive integration of Spain’s autonomous communities with devolved justice competences. Mechanisms for secure information exchange, metadata standardisation, and service harmonisation have been established to ensure a unified experience nationwide. This approach positions the service as an inspiring example for European level initiatives requiring interoperability and user-centric design.
Functionalities have significantly expanded: comprehensive case file consultation, hearing schedules, electronic notifications, payments to judicial deposits and consignment accounts, access to Civil Registry certificates (e.g. birth or marriage) and consultation of notarial documents, among many others.
The project has become institutionalised as a cornerstone of digital transformation in justice, integrating previously disparate services into a single access point and aligning with European standards on interoperability, accessibility, data protection, and cybersecurity.
Long-term impact
Justice Folder has consolidated a unique digital relationship between citizens and the Administration of Justice, reducing processing times, duplications, and physical movements. It has improved traceability and safety of procedures, meeting the initial goals of universal access, simplicity, and efficiency.
The indicators show a sustained and growing use, decrease of incidences, and improvement in the user experience. In the long term, the project contributes to interoperability with other public services, operational sustainability, and the reduction of environmental impact by minimising paper consumption and travel. All this reinforces confidence in justice and the perception of closeness and transparency.
In just three years, Justice Folder has amassed over 618 000 unique users and more than 100 000 monthly visits, demonstrating growing adoption and trust. Among professional groups, adoption exceeds 80% in some cases.
Another milestone highlighted in the development of this project has been the possibility of accessing the platform from a mobile application since September 2024. The Justice Folder App is available for both Android devices and iOS, and interest in its utilities continues to grow, with more than 75 000 downloads and more than 42 000 active devices, making it more than ever a reality that information is readily available in the justice sector.
Adjustment in the objectives
During the implementation, objectives were adapted to prioritise interoperability, data orientation, accessibility, cybersecurity, and territorial scalability. These adjustments have accelerated the modernisation of judicial offices, the implementation of Law 20/2011 on the Civil Registry, and the incorporation of transversal services such as digital signature, payments, and electronic notifications.
The project has also generated synergies with hyperautomation initiatives and the European interoperability strategy, influencing future developments such as assisted processing.
The development of Justice Folder will continue to advance, to offer an even more robust and functional platform. The progressive inclusion of more than 100 services has been assessed, demonstrating the platform’s commitment to continuous improvement and expansion of its capabilities to meet user needs.
This progressive approach reflects the platform’s adaptability and its ability to respond to the changing demands of society and legal professionals. The addition of new services will not only broaden the range of available options, but will also ensure that Justice Folder remains aligned with the latest trends and needs within the Justice Administration.