Back Positive opinion on the draft law on the judicial council of North Macedonia

Positive opinion on the draft law on the judicial council of North Macedonia

In its first plenary session of 2019, the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) adopted an opinion on the draft Law on the Judicial Council of North Macedonia. The opinion was requested by Mr Zoran Zaev, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, through the Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.

In its opinion, the Venice Commission praised the constant efforts of the authorities of North Macedonia to bring the rules governing the judicial system in line with the international standards and best practices. The Commission observed with satisfaction that a significant number of its previous recommendations had been followed by the draft law. The Commission concluded that the provisions of the draft law are mostly in line with the international standards and, if interpreted and implemented in good faith, can ensure the independence and efficiency of the judiciary.

The draft law was amended following the opinion of the Commission and most of its recommendations were addressed.

Venice 20 March 2019
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What is the Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism?

The Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism (ECM) provides expertise within the Council of Europe system to respond to requests for legislative expertise and policy advice on strengthening justice, fighting economic crime and combating discrimination, as well as freedom of expression and the media, and constitutional issues falling within the mandate of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (known as the Venice Commission). This is done in full respect of the independence and functioning specificities of the Council of Europe monitoring mechanisms and provides a key support to accession processes to the EU. If there are Horizontal Facility actions in the field of interest in respective Beneficiary, the request for an expert opinion can be accommodated directly by those actions.

 

Who can make a request for an expert opinion under the ECM?

Ministers (and other members of the government), the speaker of parliament, heads of parliamentary committees, Ombudsperson institutions or independent state institutions of the Beneficiary concerned (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye) can make a request for an expert opinion under the ECM.

Furthermore, specifically for issues which fall within the area of competence of the Venice Commission, the European Union as well as Council of Europe organs (i.e. the Secretary General, Committee of Ministers, Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities) can also submit requests for ECM assistance.

In addition, requests for amicus curiae briefs by the Venice Commission can also be made by constitutional courts.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.