In an effort to enhance the efficiency and quality of justice in five action’s pilot courts, the joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Strengthening the efficiency and quality of justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIHSEJ)” piloted by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice – CEPEJ, conducted a workshop “Roadmap for implementation of the expert’s recommendations in pilot courts” on 4-5 March 2024 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The 3^rd Steering Committee Meeting of the action took place within the framework of this activity.

Five action’s pilot courts nominated by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) - basic courts in Sokolac, Brcko and Trebinje and municipal courts in Livno and Cazin - participated to this workshop. Following the first needs assessments carried out in these pilot courts in 2023, recommendations linked to the efficiency and quality of services provided to users in these jurisdictions were presented.

Recommendations by experts are aimed in providing additional training for court staff on CEPEJ methodologies, promotion and more intensive usage of alternative dispute resolutions for court cases as well as possible improvements in quality of communication with public and general infrastructure of courts. BIHSEJ will provide support to pilot courts in this regard, following tailored support activities agreed after the action Steering Committee Meeting.

3^rd Steering Committee Meeting of the action was held on 5 March in the presence of action’s key beneficiaries (HJPC, pilot courts, judicial training centres) and the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which recent major developments within the Action were discussed, and future activities were agreed upon.

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, Bojana Urumova, pointed out the position of the action within the well-established presence of the Council of Europe in BiH. At the occasion she stated: “In its first year of implementation, BIHSEJ build close and constructive co-ordination with stakeholders and other specific actions in the field. It ensured full dedication of the partners to the implementation of the action and co-operation with the stakeholders from judiciary should provide sustainability of the action and high level of acceptance of the CEPEJ standards in judiciary.”

On behalf of the EU Delegation, Enrico Visentin, the Programme manager for Justice, and Anti-Corruption stated: “Concerning this action, the partnership forged between EU/Council of Europe and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH, the courts, and the judicial and prosecutorial training centres plays a crucial role in paving the way for improved co-operation. Through our collaborative efforts, particularly in bolstering capacities for data collection, processing, and analysis in accordance with CEPEJ methodology, we are establishing a solid foundation for informed decision-making and evidence-based reforms.“

Admir Suljagić, Director of the Secretariat of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH, stated: “BIHSEJ is significant project as CEPEJ is directly contributing to further implementation of international best practices to BiH judiciary. The HJPC remain committed to implementation of the BIHSEJ and same level of commitment is necessary from pilot courts and other institutions involved in order to ensure smooth implementation”.

This activity was organised by CEPEJ action “Strengthening the efficiency and quality of justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiHSEJ)”, which is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye".