Monthly Report: Judicial Strengthening Project (JSP) April 2015

The project's first result focused on strengthening advocacy and citizen participation in judicial sector reform. A short, focused assessment, baseline survey, and resulting action plan on justice sector LPAs and CSOs were conducted to identify the role they can play in strengthening the rule of law in Macedonia. The capacity of at least two judicial sector professional associations was improved through a training program designed, delivered, and completed by the JSP. The Macedonian Judges Association (MJA), Court Administrators Association (CAA), and other legal professional associations (LPAs), as well as civil society organizations (CSOs), received training to build their capacities. Follow-up activities and events carried out during April 2015 included the presentation of the ELSA brochure on free legal aid to high school and university students at the Basic Court (BC) Prilep and BC Bitola. The Open Day at Courts was organized by the Rule of Law Council (ROLC) on April 2, with the main objective of improving courts' transparency and reducing citizens' fear and ignorance about the courts. The event was conducted through organized tours in the courts' premises, guided by public relations officers who explained the courts' competences and judicial processes. The audience consisted of high school and university students and citizens who used this occasion to visit the court and get acquainted with its operations. The JSP also supported the planning for the CAA's Sixth Annual Assembly, scheduled for mid-May/early June. The JSP will provide financial assistance for the accommodation of the CAA delegates. A major part of the event will be devoted to the presentation of the CAA's ongoing advocacy efforts to change and amend the Law on Court Service. The second result of the JSP focused on more independent, efficient, and consistent application of judicial policies and practices. The legal framework and judicial branch policies were strengthened to enhance the independence, effectiveness, and accountability of the judicial system. The JSP supported periodic meetings of the Judicial Branch Forum (JBF), which aimed to identify problems and challenges of the judiciary and develop solutions. The JSP also supported the efforts of the working group to draft changes and amendments to the Law on Case Management (LCM). The working group drafted amendments focusing on the operations of the Working Bodies for Case Flow Management and the publishing of court decisions on court websites. The JSP sent the text of the changes and amendments along with elaboration to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for review and further processing. The third result of the JSP focused on increasing fairness and efficiency in the administration of justice through more effective legal personnel and efficient processes. The JSP supported the development and implementation of targeted specialized training for judges, court administrators, executives, and court staff. The training aimed to improve the skills and knowledge of legal personnel to enhance the efficiency and fairness of the administration of justice. The JSP also supported the improvement of caseload processing and reduction of the backlog of cases. The project's activities aimed to enhance the capacity of the judicial sector to handle cases efficiently and effectively, reducing the backlog and improving the overall administration of justice. The JSP's activities were carried out in coordination with various stakeholders, including the Macedonian Judges Association, Court Administrators Association, and civil society organizations. The project's results were monitored and evaluated to ensure that the objectives were met and the desired outcomes were achieved.