Description
This project contributes to the ongoing rationalisation of the court system. The overall objective of the project is to increase the efficiency of the judiciary and improve the quality of justice in line with European standards. The project outcome is the improved efficiency of the court system, including the development of systems for case handling, which is done through the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the court house in Karlovac and through the piloting and roll-out of SATURN guidelines and methodology on the subjects of time management and reporting quality to 15 other courts. The programme’s main target group was the judicial and non-judicial staff working in these Croatian court system. The second component will be undertaken in partnership with the Council of Europe (hereafter: CoE), in particular the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ).
Summary of project results
The aim of the reform of the judicial system was that a smaller number of larger courts would improve efficiency, increase the time spent by judges in court and enable necessary specialization. Among the shortcomings of that system were those addressed by this project: the excessive length of court proceedings, which led to a large number of requests for protection of the right to trial within reasonable time; an insufficient utilization of existing resources within the court system and a lack of feedback about the system by court users. The main results of the project are renovated courthouse and the improved working conditions of 280 court officials, the implementation of a working time management system and the improved efficiency of the targeted courts. The rate of clearance of cases increased, and the duration of the disposition time (the time needed to resolve the case after filing it) decreased significantly.
Summary of bilateral results
As the resources from the Bilateral Fund were allocated at the level of National Focal Point, activities that were funded did not specifically contribute to the programme but have focused on improving the overall bilateral relations between Croatia and donor countries.