Description
The project will encourage ordinary citizens to engage as observers to monitor the operation of courts and to report on the findings and present recommendations for courts. At least 750 individuals will receive training to learn the observation skills and the Foundation will work with those who turn out to be most committed to develop local reports and one national report the structure of which will be first open to consultations with stakeholders. This approach is innovative both in the Community Monitoring of Courts program and in watchdog programs in Poland in general. Reports will be used in advocacy efforts such as the dissemination of findings and recommendations among judges and other stakeholders. The Foundation will continue to follow up on the project promoting the onboarding of recommendations of earlier monitoring cycles. The project is implemented in partnership with The European Law Students' Association. Partner will be responsible for recruitment of students for courts monitoring and the project promotion.
Summary of project results
"A grave problem in Poland is the lack of confidence in courts of law and the lack of a dialogue between the third power and common citizens. There is no understanding between the two sides, resulting in many stereotypes and misconceptions. The conditions and evaluations of work of Polish courts of law are influenced by many factors, but just and respectable treatment of every citizen in the courts of law is a key element in building the prestige of judiciary power in our society. The aim of the Civil Monitoring of Courts of Law is to enhance mutual trust between courts and citizens through wider exercise of the right of audience to participate in court proceedings (Art. 45 of the Polish Constitution) and gathering data on judiciary from the point of view of common citizens, as well as to conduct activities for better functioning of individual courts of law and the whole judiciary system. Under the project, the fifth edition of the Civil Monitoring of Courts of Law (2014/2015), initiated in 2010, was organised. In that period of time, 1250 persons throughout Poland were trained in the knowledge of judiciary and legal and judiciary terms, and 370 new persons became volunteers who attended court proceedings as audience and filled standard questionnaires. In all, 7500 monitorings of court proceedings were performed, as well as over 820 monitorings of the infrastructure of court buildings in local courts and district courts. The portals: courtwatch.pl, for gathering data uploaded by volunteers, and wokandaobywatelska.pl, for automatic invitation of volunteers-observers to participate in court proceedings registered in their locality by their participants, were made more effective. The results of the observation were presented to judiciary representatives during numerous meetings. The results of monitoring and its impact on changes in courts of law were presented in the published report, accompanied by a conference gathering the most important representatives of the Polish judiciary. In addition, a competition for the Civil Judge of the Year was organised for the first time, with major coverage by media. The project partner, the Student Association ELSA, promoted trainings for prospective volunteers at the universities throughout Poland."
Summary of bilateral results