On 23-24 September, the European Commission for the efficiency of justice (CEPEJ) experts Pierre Laporte and Michel Perchepied came to Albania to follow-up on their work with courts to improve safety and security measures.

Meetings were held with the High Judicial Council (HJC) and the High Prosecutorial Council (HPC), to address the findings and recommendations of their report and identify concrete measures in this area. They also discussed proposals which could be included in the future internal court rules and the importance of launching an assessment in prosecution offices in Albania. In addition, both experts met with the President of the Lezha District Court which initiated a pilot project to prepare their draft regulation on court safety. This may serve as an example for all other courts and for the HJC.

Experts had the opportunity to hold an exchange with pilot courts in this regard and in particular the Serious Crimes Court of the First Instance, which is the only court that has an internal regulation on security due to the specific nature of the court. Beneficiaries concluded on the need for the HJC to establish unified regulatory framework for all courts in the country for which the SEJ III Action will provide expertise.

This activity was organised by the SEJ III Action “Strengthening the quality and efficiency of justice in Albania” which is part of the "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey II", co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.