Skopje, 7 July 2023 (MIA) - At Thursday's session of the Council for Monitoring the Implementation of the Strategy for Judicial Reform, which was held in-person for the first time, Justice Minister Krenar Lloga told members of the Council it is necessary for certain activities to be part of the new Development Strategy.

"The competence to issue licenses for experts should be transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the competent chambers. The judicial exam, as well as the exams for notaries public should be taken at the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors instead of at the Ministry of Justice," the Ministry of Justice said in a press release on Friday. 

Minister Loga, adds the press release, requested at his own initiative to abolish the minister's discretionary right to select notaries public and to ensure transparency in the procedures for their appointment.

In addition, criminal liability of jury judges should include them reporting about their property status, and all proceedings before the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court should be made public.

"Part of the proposals that will need to be discussed in the coming period are the abolition of the Higher Administrative Court, which will require a complete reform of administrative law, as well as amendments to the law on the judicial council in terms of electing and dismissing members," reads the press release. 

The session has also tackled all remarks, comments and proposals by all members of the Council regarding activities within the Action Plan. 

The Justice Ministry notes that although VMRO-DPMNE has been invited to attend the session, no party representatives have shown up for the discussion. The draft version of the Development Strategy, adds the Ministry, will be delivered to the party, after which specific observations and comments on certain issues are expected as feedback.

"The strategy is of exceptional importance in terms of the adoption of a Roadmap for the rule of law and its implementation, and it is expected to increase trust in the judiciary," the press release reads.

Photo: MIA