Representatives of Serbia’s judicial and prosecutorial institutions visited Paris and Strasbourg from 21 to 23 September 2026 to discuss safeguards against undue influence on judges and prosecutors. The study visit brought together members of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, the President and judges of the Supreme Court, as well as representatives of the Judicial Academy, judges and public prosecutors.

At the French Superior Council of the Judiciary in Paris, participants exchanged views on the Council’s organisation and its role in judicial appointments, disciplinary proceedings and the protection of judicial independence. In Strasbourg, discussions with Council of Europe representatives addressed the work of the Commissioner for Human Rights and European standards on non-interference in judicial and prosecutorial decision making.

The programme also included a presentation by Council of Europe consultant on the independent monitoring of alleged cases of undue influence on the judiciary in Serbian media. Participants discussed the monitoring’s challenges and conclusions. At the European Court of Human Rights, judge elected in respect of Serbia examined relevant case law and practical safeguards against undue influence.

The visit 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 part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.