Paris – 07.06.2026: Bruno Retailleau, President of the Les Républicains party and presidential candidate, has called for the creation of a “Disciplinary Court for the Judiciary.” This court is intended to replace the current role of the Conseil supérieur de la magistrature (CSM), which he criticizes as “too corporatist.” Retailleau proposes that this new court should consist of a panel of citizens selected by lot, meeting jointly with judges and qualified personalities. He emphasizes that the current disciplinary measures for judges do not work and that the CSM in its current form is not effective.
Retailleau’s call comes in the context of the tragic case of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl found dead in Gers. The main suspect, Jérôme Barella, had previously been reported multiple times but was never prosecuted. These failures have sparked intense debates about the efficiency and responsibility of the judicial authorities.
In response to public outrage, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has launched an investigation to review any possible failings in handling the case. Darmanin has announced that he will consider sanctions against judges if errors in dealing with the main suspect are identified.
The Syndicat de la Magistrature, one of the most important judges’ unions in France, has sharply criticized the executive’s reactions. In a statement, the union emphasizes that responsibility does not lie solely with individual judges but that structural problems within the justice system must also be taken into account. It calls for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the incident and points to the need to clarify political responsibilities.
The discussion about creating a disciplinary court for the judiciary is not new. Already in February 2026, a related decree was published regulating the termination of judges’ functions. However, this decree was not considered sufficient to address the structural problems within the justice system.
The debate on reforming the disciplinary system for judges is expected to intensify, especially with the upcoming presidential elections. Retailleau’s proposal could play a central role, as it underscores the need to restore public trust in the judiciary and strengthen judges’ accountability.
Overall, the case of Lyhanna highlights the urgent need to reform the French justice system to ensure that such tragic incidents can be prevented in the future. The discussion about establishing a disciplinary court for the judiciary is a step in this direction, though the implementation and effectiveness of such reforms will continue to be critically observed.