News on ensuring justice
Strengthening justice transparency in Montenegro
Transparency in the judiciary is not just a principle—it is a fundamental requirement for a functioning democracy – this was the key message voiced at the workshops for courts and prosecution officers dedicated to the development of actions plans for the implementation of judicial communication...
CEPEJ workshop to improve the efficiency of the civil justice system in Kosovo*
A workshop brought together members of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC), along with presidents of the Basic Courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. The aim of the workshop was to explore approaches to simplify civil procedures and reduce case processing times in line with the...
Empowering future legal experts in North Macedonia on the provision of free legal aid
Legal clinics and civil society organisations authorised to provide primary legal aid play a pivotal role in ensuring access to justice and effectively safeguarding human rights in accordance with European standards. In the efforts to advance access to equal justice in North Macedonia, around 20...
CEPEJ supports Court Chancellors in Albania to enhance court performance and access to justice
The important role of the Court Chancellor in improving court administration performance and expanding access to justice was the focus of the capacity building activity organised in Durres with joint contribution of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and the Albanian...
CEPEJ workshop to improve the efficiency of the civil justice system in Kosovo*
A workshop on the importance of generating and using statistics from the Case Management Information System (CMIS) was held in Istog with the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) CMIS Working group. The aim of the workshop was to enhance prosecutor work efficiency and reduce the time spent on...
Landmark European Court of Human Rights’ judgments highlight urgent need for property rights' reform in Albania
The European Court of Human Rights (the Court) issued two landmark judgements on 10 and 17 December 2024 respectively, addressing persistent challenges in Albania’s property registration and restitution systems and underscoring the continued need for further reform. In the case of Ramaj v....
Empowering future legal experts in North Macedonia on the provision of free legal aid
Legal clinics and civil society organisations authorised to provide primary legal aid play a pivotal role in ensuring access to justice and effectively safeguarding human rights in accordance with European standards. In the efforts to advance access to equal justice in North Macedonia, around 20...
Law students gain hands-on experience in human rights protection through internship
The joint European Union and Council of Europe action Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia gathered law students from Belgrade University, who participated in internships at the Government Agent’s Office, to discuss their experiences in a focus group. The internship programme,...
Towards better treatment of sentenced persons in Serbia
The Heads of Treatment Departments from all 29 Serbian penitentiary institutions convened in Belgrade to enhance the implementation of the existing prisoner treatment programmes and prepare for the rollout of new ones in 2025. The meeting, held as part of the Council of Europe and European...
Improving the treatment of forensic patients in Albania, in line with European standards
A key focus of the Council of Europe continuous support for Albanian prison institutions is the improvement of the treatment of forensic patients by guiding doctors and psycho-social staff of Lezha special institution on the use of modern diagnostic tools. In this framework a two-day training...
Press Release
International Human Rights Day: Visual art exhibition and panel discussion on equal access to justice held in Skopje
To mark International Human Rights Day, the Council of Europe Programme Office, with support from the European Union, organised an event to highlight the importance of equal access to justice and its positive impact on the people of North Macedonia. The event also featured the announcement of the...
Aligning domestic practices with European case law: New publication to support Albanian legal professionals in upholding human rights standards
Today at Europe House Tirana, the latest Handbook featuring selected 2023-2024 European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law was presented for lawyers and legal professionals . This resource produced with the support of EU and Council of Europe, highlights key rulings that shape the...
Awareness raising in Kamza highlights the ongoing commitment to promote property rights for local communities in Albania
The Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS), with support from the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised an impactful awareness-raising event in Kamza, focusing on property rights and compensation mechanisms. The event was particularly targeted at vulnerable local communities, with the aim...
Strengthening justice delivery in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Over 50 judges, court presidents, and clerks across Bosnia and Herzegovina are gaining new tools to enhance court efficiency and improve the quality of justice, thanks to a two-day training session “Using CEPEJ Methodologies and Tools to Improve Court Efficiency and Managerial Capacities”,...
Strengthening access to justice: Free legal aid for human trafficking victims
Legal experts and key stakeholders came together at a roundtable in Belgrade to tackle one of the most critical challenges in combating human trafficking: ensuring victims have access to free legal aid. Organised by the Council of Europe under the Horizontal Facility programme in Serbia and the...
Towards a more accountable justice system in Montenegro
Under the action "Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro", the European Union and the Council of Europe are teaming up to enhance Montenegro’s judicial system, ensuring fair trials and stronger protections for victims. As part...
Promoting gender equality and women’s access to justice across the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan regions
Judges, prosecutors and representatives from judicial training institutions across the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions met in Tirana, to assess the results of the mentoring programme for legal professionals on women’s access to justice. A series of thematic exchanges were held on...
Towards better legal protection for victims of human trafficking
More than 40 lawyers from Serbia improved their knowledge and skills in recognizing human trafficking and providing adequate legal support to victims. This result was achieved through a series of round tables organized by ASTRA - Action against human trafficking, with the support of the Bar...
Montenegro prosecutors gear up for new legal challenges
State prosecutors from across Montenegro came together for a hands-on "Training Needs Assessment Workshop," to pinpoint skill gaps and plan targeted training to enhance their effectiveness in today’s evolving legal landscape. The workshop marked a significant step forward in strengthening the...
Assisting local authorities to provide inclusive property rights services to all citizens in Albania
Local municipal staff and officials from the State Cadaster Agency in Fier and Vlora increased their capacity and knowledge by participating in specific training sessions aimed at improving service delivery in transitional property processes in these cities. The trainings, organised with the...
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