Judges and state prosecutors from across Montenegro gathered on 2–3 June to strengthen the application of ethical, integrity and accountability standards in their daily work, recognising these principles as essential for preserving public trust in the judiciary and upholding the rule of law.

The training course on judicial and prosecutorial ethics, integrity and accountability provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of European and international standards in this field and discuss their practical application in the exercise of judicial and prosecutorial functions. It was organised within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye III, under the action "Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro".

The training programme covered international and national standards of judicial and prosecutorial ethics, procedural safeguards in disciplinary proceedings, as well as the challenges judicial office holders face when applying ethical principles in practice. Special attention was devoted to issues of conflicts of interest, safeguarding independence from undue influence, and strengthening institutional integrity.

Participation of newly appointed judges and prosecutors brought an added value. It was noted that training programmes of this kind are especially valuable at the beginning of a professional career, as they help foster a more consistent application of ethical and disciplinary standards in everyday work. Such programmes also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences and discuss practical case studies, allowing them to reflect on ethical dilemmas and disciplinary issues that may arise in the exercise of judicial and prosecutorial functions.

Ultimately, these efforts contribute to more professional conduct by judicial office holders and to stronger protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens.