MOLDOVA EFFECTIVE JUSTICE MODEL COURT INITIATIVE QUARTERLY REPORT (April 01, 2021 – June 30, 2021)

The initiative is a Task Order under the Effective Justice Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity Contract, and it will be implemented until January 2024. The project is led by Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., and its main counterparts include the Pilot Model Courts, First Instance Courts, Agency for Court Administration, Superior Council of Magistracy, Ministry of Justice, National Institute of Justice, and Civil Society Organizations. During the second quarter of the project's first year, several key activities were undertaken. The selection of two Pilot Model Courts (PMCs) was completed, with Ungheni and Balti District Courts being chosen as the PMCs. The PMCs, with the assistance of the Model Court Initiative, developed draft Court Improvement Plans (CIPs) outlining the improvements they plan to undertake to gain the status of model courts. The Model Court Initiative also conducted several meetings with the PMCs to discuss their needs, priorities, and development vision. Additionally, the initiative facilitated the development of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems review report, which provides guidance on likely future directions in technology use in Moldovan courts and offers recommendations on ICT solutions that may be developed or expanded with the initiative's assistance. The Baseline Assessment of all district courts in Moldova was completed and approved by USAID. The assessment was based on a survey conducted among judges, court staff, legal practitioners, and civil society, including court users. The survey collected information about the respondents' perceptions related to court management, transparency, communication, and automation. The Baseline Assessment has provided statistical evidence for the need for various court improvement activities, ranging from management and use of available digital solutions to becoming more responsive to court users and local community needs. The Model Court Initiative also developed a list of proposed performance metrics for the model courts, which were approved by USAID. Most of the proposed metrics can already be automatically generated by the current Integrated Case Management System's (ICMS) performance dashboard. The list of proposed metrics may be amended or extended depending on the interest of the model courts and the decisions of national stakeholders. The initiative facilitated the first meeting of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) Working Group to Develop Model Courts to introduce the Model Court Initiative's objectives for PMCs assistance and opened discussions about possible national level activities for the project's implementation phase. Additionally, the initiative facilitated one focus group with representatives of Moldovan Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that are active in the area of legal and judicial reform to discuss needed improvements in the quality and accessibility of the justice system services. The Model Court Initiative also organized and facilitated one focus group with judges from the Ungheni District Court to identify the court's vision of national level changes involving legislative amendments and administrative measures that would contribute to optimize the workload of judges and increase citizens' access to justice. The first Model Court Initiative grant Request for Applications (RFA) was issued on June 18, 2021, through a public call posted on the website www.civic.md and through direct mailing to civil society organizations working in the legal and judicial reform areas. The Model Court Initiative's quarterly report covers the activities of the project during the second quarter of its first year, from April 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. The report highlights the key achievements and progress made during this period, including the selection of PMCs, the development of CIPs, and the facilitation of focus groups with CSOs and judges. The report also provides an overview of the project's objectives, scope, and implementation plan. The Model Court Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of Moldova, the Agency for Court Administration, the Superior Council of Magistracy, the Ministry of Justice, the National Institute of Justice, and Civil Society Organizations. The initiative aims to improve the performance of courts in Moldova by providing technical assistance, training, and capacity building to the judiciary, as well as supporting the development of a more efficient and effective justice system. The project's implementation plan includes several key activities, such as the development of Court Improvement Plans, the implementation of ICT solutions, and the provision of training and capacity building to the judiciary. The initiative also aims to support the development of a more responsive and accessible justice system, with a focus on improving the quality and accessibility of justice services for citizens. The Model Court Initiative's quarterly report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's progress and achievements during the second quarter of its first year. The report highlights the key activities undertaken during this period, including the selection of PMCs, the development of CIPs, and the facilitation of focus groups with CSOs and judges. The report also provides an overview of the project's objectives, scope, and implementation plan, and highlights the key challenges and opportunities facing the project. The Model Court Initiative is a critical component of the Effective Justice Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity Contract, and its