Albania

Objective: The overall objective is to support the Albanian institutions to implement the justice reform by strengthening the independence, transparency, efficiency, accountability and public trust in the Albanian justice system in line with the EU acquis and best practices. Results: The organisational, analytical, policy making and legislative capacities of the MoJ are improved and the legislative framework in the area of justice with a view of bringing it closer to EU standards and best practices are developed. The organisational and managerial structure is set up and the capacities of the governance bodies of the judicial and prosecutorial system are built respective their competences as well as a real career development system for judges and prosecutors based on merits and transparent proceedings in line with European standards and best practices is established. The organisational and managerial structure of the court/prosecution system is set up/aligned in accordance with the law and their structural and procedural independence, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, including assisting the work of the Specialized Anti-corruption Courts and the Special AntiCorruption and Organized Crime Structure is strengthened. The IT systems in principal judicial and prosecutorial institutions are extended and maintained in order to improve the efficiency, transparency and management of courts, prosecution offices and other bodies within the justice system. The capacity of the SoM and other training institutions responsible for training of (judicial) civil servants at courts and prosecution offices, lawyers, notaries and bailiffs is increased as well the managerial capacities and democratic and transparent procedures of chambers of free legal professions strengthened.

Project description   Objective: Provision of support to align the Albanian justice system with the EU acquis and best international practices with the aim to increase the professional quality of judges and prosecutors, reduce the impact of organised crime, politics and corruption in the delivery of justice, and to enhance the integrity and accountability of judiciary institutions.  Results: The vetting organs or “re-evaluation institutions” (as referred to in the respective law) in Albania are set up and the re-evaluation process in the following three main evaluation areas in order to ensure honest and impartial performance are monitored: Full asset audit procedure carried out by the High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interest (HIDAACI) for the re-evaluation institutions based on declarations of assets and comparative information collected from various sources. Duly performed background assessment carried out by the national security authority for the re-evaluation institutions based on declaration forms and upon the most accurate evidence, information and intelligence available. Sound proficiency assessment on the basis of self-evaluations as well as proficiency assessment reviews carried out by the relevant proficiency assessment body for the re-evaluation institutions.

Objective: The overall objective is to strengthen the independence, transparency, efficiency, accountability and public trust in the Albanian justice system in line with the EU acquis and best practices. Results: A justice system strategy with a concrete action plan for the period 2014 – 2017 and with a view to guaranteeing independence, transparency and efficiency is in place Professionalism and accountability of the services of the MoJ and subordinate authorities are enhanced Access to courts is open to anyone, i.e. there are no barriers for example for indigent people and/or members of minorities Transparency of judicial proceedings is enhanced, i.e. the general public has better information about court activities, enhancing their trust Decisions taken by the High Council of Justice regarding the status of judges (i.e. appointment, promotion and disciplinary measures) are taken on objective and transparent criteria in line with EU standards Independence, efficiency and effectiveness of the High Court have been improved ensuring that the court can fulfill its constitutional task to provide guidance to all other Albanian courts by unifying the judicial practice Issues pertaining to judicial cooperation among stakeholders of the Albanian justice system and international partners are managed in a more coherent manner