Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

Strengthening prosecutorial independence, addressing institutional challenges and preparing for upcoming legal reforms were at the centre of the Third Professional Conference of the High Prosecutorial Council, held in Kopaonik from 19 to 21 October 2026.

The Conference titled “New composition of the Council and new directions of the judiciary” gathered representatives of the prosecution, judiciary, the Constitutional Court and international organisations to discuss key issues related to integrity of the prosecution, legal remedies related to the decisions of the High Prosecutorial Council, digitalisation of public prosecution and the role of the Council in protecting the position of public prosecutors.

Discussions focused on the impact of the Constitutional Court decisions on the current composition of the Council, gaps in its functioning including the absence of elections of public prosecutors and the elected President of the Council, and the Commissioner for the Autonomy of Public Prosecutors. The discussions also involved a wide range of topics relevant to forthcoming challenges arising from the new Law on Judicial Academy and further Council’s development as a protector of prosecutorial autonomy.

This Conference has become an important platform for the professional exchange of opinions and experiences, and for joint reflection on further steps in strengthening the autonomy, integrity, and responsibility of the public prosecution in Serbia. The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of the High Prosecutorial Council and its partners to strengthening prosecutorial independence, transparency, and efficiency.

The Conference was organised by the Council of Europe through the action “Strengthening legal culture in Serbia and capacities of the judicial and the prosecutorial councils”, as a part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.