About the project:

The main objective of the Project is to improve the efficiency, quality, independence and transparency of the judiciary, which leads to the creation of a judicial system in the service of citizens.

The activities planned in the third phase of the Project, will be focused on the sustainability of achieved results, but also on achieving new results, with the focus on improving efficiency of judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina and ensuring equal access to justice and equality of all citizens before the law.

Based on previously realized activities and performed analyzes, an assessment of segments was made, in which more proactive and reform action is necessary in order for the set goals to be ultimately realized. Therefore, the focus of all future  activities will be on relieving the judiciary and increasing its efficiency through planned action and establishing a more efficient organization of work processes in the courts.

Taking into account relevant international documents, legal practice of European countries and striving for European standards and the establishment of efficient judiciary, through its longstanding strategic partner, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden,  the HJPC BiH established co-operation with the Swedish National Courts Administration, the project partner, with the aim to implement project activities that will led to the realisation of significant structural and institutional progress.  

Project activities:

• Reorganization of business processes in the courts

The main goal of the activities is to improve the internal organization in the courts in BiH in order to achieve their efficient, fast and high-quality work, including shorter duration of proceedings, reduction of backlogs, reduction of court costs, relieving of judges and greater motivation of court employees.

• Establishing a system to monitor the existing human capacities in courts and ensure equitable workload distribution among judges

Within this component, a comprehensive work efficiency analysis of the target courts will be made. Based on the analysis results, the real causes of uneven workload of judges and courts as a whole will be identified. Equitable distribution of all available court resources means faster work processes, increased number of resolved cases, reduced average length of court proceedings and thus greater citizens' satisfaction with court services.

• Initiative to reform the litigation appeal system in BiH

This component provides an analysis of the need for possible amendments to the existing civil procedure laws and other relevant regulations, but also to identify measures that are institutional, structural or organizational in nature and aimed at improving the efficiency of the procedure within the existing legal framework.

• Improving enforcement procedure in judicial systems in BiH

This project segment refers to the improvement of the work processes of the enforcement departments in the pilot courts, which will be realized in co-operation with the SEA.

• Improving gender equality in the BiH judiciary

The planned activities will be redirected to promoting of gender equality in the BiH judiciary, organizing workshops on the topic of gender equality and providing support and co-operation with relevant state institutions, non-governmental and international organizations, with the aim of improving gender equality in the BiH judiciary.

• Improving the position of vulnerable groups in contact with the justice system

Removing certain obstacles, which prevent equal access to justice for vulnerable groups is one of the primary activities of this part of the project, as well as raising awareness of the rights of vulnerable groups.

• Building courts' capacities in proactive communication with the media and the public and improving courts' transparency

The aim is to develop a range of measures and tools for proactive and effective communication throughout the judiciary. A special emphasis of this segment is on achieving more intensive co-operation and communication with media workers, in order to achieve greater transparency and more efficient communication of judicial institutions.

Project Facts

Duration:

October 2020 to March 2024

Location:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Implementing Partner: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -  The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council BiH (HJPC BiH)

Project partners:

Swedish National Courts Administration (SNCA)

Swedish Enforcement Authority (SEA)

Other partners: 

Courts from BiH

Sister courts and other colleagues from Swedish courts

Financing agency:  Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

Contact:

Head of Project:

Mrs. Ana Bilic Andrijanic

Tel:  033 707 553  or e-mail: ana.bilic@pravosudje.ba

Deputy Head of Project:

Mr. Kenan Alisah

Tel: 033 707 581 or e-mail: kenan.alisah@pravosudje.ba