Judges hit back yesterday at claims last week by the Athens Bar Association (ABA) that certain justices are not up to the job and are causing delays in the legal system.

The Union of Judges and Prosecutors (EDE) issued a statement chiding the ABA for going public with its allegations and not first submitting a complaint to the Supreme Court. The judges argued that the ABA’s move has allowed the media to blow the problem out of proportion.

The EDE said it is aware that “five or even 10” judges are unable to carry out their duties properly and it has asked for them to be granted voluntary redundancy.

It added that the problems of the justice system are more serious than the ABA suggests and that the “least at fault” should not be blamed.

The union also argued that the first instance court in Athens is overloaded with cases because of the nature of the judicial system.