Palestinian judiciary is facing many special challenges which affect negatively the mechanism of judicial work as well as the spirit of its staff.

Palestinian judiciary works under the following situations:

• Incomplete sovereignty over the state of Palestine.
• Obstructing for establishment of jurisdiction and enforcement of court judgments.
• Unstable security conditions due to the Israeli Occupation.
• Unstable political conditions.
• Overlapping authorities.

External Challenges:

• The Israeli Occupation for Palestinian Authority areas affects the whole justice system negatively through the closure for Palestinian areas and checkpoints.
• Disrespectful treatment for judges at Israeli checkpoints which restrict their capabilities to work efficiently or even to reach courthouses.
• Government financial crisis resulting from siege which led to employees strike and closure of courthouses.
• Short Palestinian jurisdiction over Palestinians holding Israeli-issued ID cards who commit offenses on the territory of the State of Palestine.
• Short Palestinian jurisdiction over Area C.

Internal Challenges:

• Inadequate infrastructure and lack of logistic support related to provide computers and legal software for judges.
• Inability to attract new judges because of low salaries.
• Inability to improve practical abilities for judges which slow down their achievements except for the support from donors.
• Inability to appoint judges' assistants or administrative staff even with the existence of new judicial organizational structure prepared in 2007.
• Lack of incentive system which affect negatively initiatives and creativity from judges or staff.
• In ability to improve the institution of forensic medicine and criminal research.
• Inability for police to execute their real duties.
• Instability of legal legislations or making amendments in short periods.