Professional education and training are pivotal factors in the quickly-evolving judicial world. A well-trained judge or prosecutor will perform his/her duties with more confidence. The decisions based on legality, respect for rule of law and human rights are likely to inspire more trust and to be better accepted.

For this reason, the project “Fighting ill-treatment and impunity and enhancing the application of the European Court of Human Rights case-law on national level in Montenegro (FILL)"” pays particular attention to the initial training programmes for judges and prosecutors. In the framework of the FILL project, a study visit of Montenegrin candidates for judges and prosecutors was organised on 20-22 September 2017. The study visit brought together 9 participants who are currently undertaking the training programme in line with the newly adopted national legislation.

The main focus of the study visit, which was organised in cooperation with the Council of Europe’s project “Accountability of the Judicial System in Montenegro” and the Embassy of France in Podgorica, was to get a thorough understanding of the work and scope of activities of the Council of Europe, administration and case management practice of the European Court of Human Rights and the High Court of Strasbourg.

Participants attended the 3-day event, which involved a visit to the High Court of Strasbourg, as well as an exchange on professional practice with the representatives of the High Court and meetings with the representatives of different entities of the Council of Europe (including the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, Venice Commission, Group of States against Corruption, European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights). The Montenegrin candidates for judges and prosecutors had an opportunity to meet with the judge elected in respect of Montenegro and a lawyer from the European Court of Human Rights to discuss the recent case law of the Court in relation to Montenegro.

Participants evaluated their experience of the study visit and the feedback gathered from this exercise showed that all participants found the content of the study visit useful and relevant to their work. They all confirmed that this activity helped them to improve their knowledge and skills.  

Interview with Ms Maja Rađenović Drakulić:

Interview with Ms Jelena Anđelić: