Albanian Justice Sector Strengthening Project (JuST) Quarterly Report for January – March 2015

The project is part of ongoing U.S. support to the rule of law and good governance in Albania, with an emphasis on improving justice delivery and increasing public demand for accountability in the justice sector. JuST works in three strategic areas. First, it aims to increase court transparency, fairness, and efficiency through direct support to the courts in establishing systems for producing and making available verbatim records of legal proceedings. This includes the use of digital audio recording technology to improve the accuracy of trial records. During the second quarter of the fifth year of the project, JuST completed installation of equipment and training of court personnel in the District and Appellate Courts of Shkodra, and coordinated a visit to the Appellate Court for the new US Ambassador, Donald Lu. The second component of JuST is focused on promoting accountability from the "grass roots" level by bolstering the watchdog and anticorruption roles of civil society organizations and the media. This includes capacity development for professional organizations, such as the Union of Albanian Judges (UAJ), and the establishment of a Justice and Good Governance CSO Grants Program. The program has also supported the development of an independent media venue, www.investigim.al, which has broadened its reach in Albania and throughout the region. The third component of JuST is focused on strengthening the legal profession and legal education. This includes the development and implementation of a Continued Legal Education (CLE) program, which is being expanded to a total of six regional chambers plus the National School of Advocates. The program aims to improve the quality of justice by providing judges and lawyers with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively. During the second quarter of the fifth year of the project, JuST achieved several significant milestones. Two courts launched "Justice without Delays" in their communities, and a third court has expressed interest in doing the same. Digital audio recording was extended to both the First Instance and Appellate Courts of Shkodra, and a nation-wide central archive for audio recordings was installed and successfully tested. The number of court hearings audio recorded continues to rise, with nine courts now exceeding the 90% threshold. The project is nearing its end, and JuST is concentrating all efforts on ensuring that its achievements will be carried forward in a sustainable manner into the future. The project's success has been evident in the significant advances made in court transparency, fairness, and efficiency, as well as the strengthening of the legal profession and legal education.