News on ensuring justice
Serbian legal professionals improve their knowledge on the European Court of Human Rights’ admissibility requirements
An online course on the “Admissibility criteria in applications submitted to the European Court of Human Rights” has brought together 36 lawyers and Constitutional Court advisors from Serbia to strengthen their understanding of the requirements applications must meet before reaching the Court....
High Prosecutorial Council discusses progress achieved and future challenges in Serbia
The High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia gathered prosecutors, legal experts and former and current Council members in Belgrade on 15 May 2026 to assess progress achieved since the institution’s establishment in 2023 and discuss key challenges ahead in strengthening the independence,...
Montenegrin judiciary strengthens response to domestic violence and violence against women
Representatives of the Montenegrin judiciary gathered in Podgorica for a two-day training aimed at strengthening the institutional response to domestic violence and violence against women, with a particular focus on improving cooperation and coordinated action in cases involving violence against...
Transparency of Court Communication Strengthens Albanian Judiciary
Albania’s justice system is evolving to deliver not just equal justice, but also greater trust and transparency through open, effective communication. Recognising the judiciary’s key role in building public confidence, a dedicated workshop was recently held in Tirana with support from the EU and...
Advancing ethical and disciplinary practices in Montenegro's judiciary
The Council of Europe and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in cooperation with the Judicial Council, Prosecutorial Council, Supreme Court of Montenegro and Supreme State Prosecution Office, organised a joint training course on Strengthening Ethical and Disciplinary Frameworks...
Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia
Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia gathered in Vrdnik for a two-day workshop on internal and external communication and media relations. Building on the first training session held earlier in April, the workshop further supported the strengthening of communication...
Bosnia and Herzegovina advances discussions on remote hearings in civil proceedings
A workshop entitled “Introducing remote hearings in civil procedure in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held on 29 April 2026 in Brčko with the support of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ). The event gathered representatives of judicial institutions from across Bosnia and...
Supporting mediation and alternative dispute resolution in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Within the framework of the Action “Strengthening the Efficiency and Quality of Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiHSEJ)”, a series of meetings was conducted on 27 and 28 April 2026 in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Brčko District to assess the current use of mediation and other alternative dispute...
Modernising Property Rights in Albania: Inside the Transformation of the State Cadaster Agency
How would you describe the ongoing reform undertaken at the State Cadastre Agency in Albania? At the State Cadastre Agency, we have initiated a structural and transformative reform aimed at the modernisation of property administration in Albania. For the first time, we have not focused only on...
From Syria to Reintegration: Supporting Violent Extremist Offenders in the Probation System in Albania
In her dark clothing, Fatime* sits quietly, seemingly uninterested in any conversation, waits impatiently to meet her Probation Officer in Tirana. Every three months, she is required to report and discuss her progress with the probation authorities. She is one of the nine women who returned in...
Law students from Legal Clinics in Tetovo strengthen skills to provide Free Legal Aid
Primary legal aid provided by authorised legal clinics is crucial for guaranteeing that everyone has access to justice, in line with European standards. In a continued effort to strengthen their capacities to provide free legal aid, especially for the most vulnerable communities, 33 law students...
Serbian prosecutors discuss judicial reform and European standards
Members of the Prosecutors' Association of Serbia, convened at a round table in Belgrade to discuss key developments within Serbian judiciary, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen legal culture and enhance the capacities of judicial and prosecutorial councils. The discussions centred on the...
Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia
Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council Council gathered in Divcibare in the two-day workshop on “Internal and external communication and media relations”. The workshop focused on enhancing capacities for effective, transparent and co-ordinated communication, both internally and with...
Montenegro adopts Victims’ Rights Strategy
The Government of Montenegro has adopted the Victims’ Rights Strategy and Action Plan, marking a significant milestone as the country’s first comprehensive strategy that provides an overall framework for the protection of all victims of crime. The Strategy establishes a systematic and long-term...
Love behind locked doors: Supporting children and families in North Macedonia’s prisons
The bustling atmosphere in the large visitors’ area at Idrizovo Prison is suddenly broken by the clattering of locks, followed by the mournful sound of the heavy iron door leading to the space where families come together. It is a weekend day and visiting hours have just begun. Prison security...
Strengthening the capacities of probation staff in Albania for managing violent extremist offenders
Effective management, rehabilitation, and reintegration of violent extremist offenders (VEOs) under a probation regime requires probation staff to possess specific specialised skills and knowledge. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacities of probation practitioners in Albania and...
Court presidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina focus on reducing case backlogs and improving efficiency
Efforts to reduce case backlogs and strengthen court efficiency were a key focus of the 20th Court Presidents Conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing together judicial stakeholders and international partners. Organised by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of Bosnia and...
Advancing comparable legal aid data across Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership
Improving how legal aid systems are measured and compared across countries was at the centre of a regional workshop organised by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) on 25-26 March in Budva, Montenegro. Titled: “From legal frameworks to comparable data and policy use”,...
Montenegro adopts new Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers, strengthening accountability and public trust
Montenegro has taken an important step forward in advancing the rule of law with the adoption of a new Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers. The Code was developed with the support of the Council of Europe, drawing on European standards and best practices to reinforce professionalism,...
Montenegro: Further steps taken to strengthen legal aid for particularly vulnerable victims
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...
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