Lawyers boycott hearings for 4 days, what the new court map provides

As of today, the Chamber of Advocates announced that for four days in a row, court hearings will be boycotted in protest of the new judicial map approved on Friday by the High Judicial Council. The Chamber of Advocates says that this decision is in serious violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. It also adds that it severely undermines the individual's access to justice. According to lawyers, the reduction of courts leaves room for violations.

What does the decision provide?

According to the decision of the High Judicial Council, out of 22 courts of first instance, only 13 will remain, out of 6 administrative courts only two, while for the whole country there will be only one Court of Appeals in Tirana. The High Council states that "the proposal on the" New Judicial Map "was drafted based on the best international standards" and that "the reorganization of judicial districts creates an innovative approach that increases the efficiency of the judicial system for citizens, realizes the fair distribution of the workload between courts and judges and promotes specialization, thereby reducing the time needed to consider a case of better justice ”.

The decision sparked a 'storm' of reactions

DP leader Sali Berisha says the new map of the judiciary is a new punishment for citizens, a violation of the right of Albanian citizens to a fair trial.

In a statement to the media from the blue headquarters, the leader of the Democrats said that the reduction of the number of courts severely affects and severely restricts the individual's access to justice.

He accused the government, adding that this decision "punishes" the residents of 10 cities in the country and underlined that this increases the costs for citizens, who will be forced to go from one city to another to conduct legal proceedings.

On the other hand, Enkelejd Alibeaj's group together with Fatmir Mediu have submitted a letter requesting a hearing on the new Judicial Map.

Në kërkesë, deputetët shprehen se kanë marrë mesazhe nga qindra qytetarë të cilët ngrejnë si problem kryesor distancën që do t’iu duhet të bëjnë për të shkuar në gjykatën kompetente për gjykimin e një çështje.

Ndërsa ministri i Drejtësisë, Ulsi Manja tha se harta është në përputhje me reformën në drejtësi dhe se ka qenë Këshilli i Lartë Gjyqësor që ka miratuar hartën gjyqësore, në të cilën parashikohet një reduktim i numrit të gjykatave në vend.

Manja tha se harta e re e vendit do të ketë 13 gjykata nga 22 që ishin më parë, ndërsa nga gjashtë gjykata administrative të shkallës së parë do të mbeten dy, një në Tiranë dhe një në Lushnjë.

Sipas VOA, reduktimi i fortë i numrit të gjykatave duket se lidhet ngushtë me largimet e ndjeshme të gjyqtarëve nga sistemi për shkak të procesit të vettingut. Afro gjysma e tyre tanimë janë shkarkuar.

The debate on the map started after several consultative meetings, in which it was strongly opposed by lawyers, because according to them it hinders citizens' access to justice.

The proposal of the High Judicial Council will have to obtain the opinion of the High Council of the Prosecution, the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Finance, before being forwarded to the government for a decision.