Montenegro continues its activities aimed at improving the capacity of lawyers to provide legal aid to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

To support the implementation of the 2024 amendments to the Law on Free Legal Aid, which require that victims of domestic violence and human trafficking are assisted by specially trained lawyers with at least three years of legal practice, steps have been taken to strengthen the specialisation of legal professionals in this field.

Within this framework, two training-of-trainers sessions were conducted: the first, dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence (10–11 March 2026), and the second, focused on human trafficking (30 March 2026). The trainings were organised in cooperation with the Bar Association of Montenegro and the Centre for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecution.

During both trainings, participants enhanced their knowledge of international standards and relevant practices, as well as key aspects of working with victims, including understanding their needs, appropriate communication, and the prevention of secondary victimisation. Special attention was dedicated to practical approaches and methodologies for transferring knowledge to future participants.

In the coming period, trained trainers will have a key role in delivering specialised training for lawyers across Montenegro. The program will include an online component via the HELP platform, as well as a two-day practical training, after which participants will be tested.

Lawyers who successfully complete the entire program and achieve the required results will be accredited to provide free legal aid to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, thereby further strengthening the protection system and improving access to justice for the most vulnerable groups in society.

The initiative is supported by the Action “Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims’ rights in Montenegro,”, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, international organisation GIZ and EU4FAST Project (European Union support in prevention and fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Western Balkans).