More information
Description
The project is designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the judicial system through improvement of physical conditions and availability of the judicial infrastructure, reinforcing the use of e-services within the judiciary and reinforcing the capacity of judges through training at the European Court of Human Rights. Improvements in e-services field will be achieved in cooperation with Norwegian Courts Administration and other Norwegian entities. Judges, court advisers and other court staff at the Municipal Court in Split will benefit from improved working conditions, this will enable them to raise efficiency of their work. Citizens of Split and surrounding areas will benefit from using the reconstructed building, especially people with reduced mobility and disabled persons who will be able to access the Court more easily. Promoter’s staff will benefit from cooperation with Norwegian Courts Administration regarding reinforcing judicial e-services. Through recommendations by Norwegian experts, the Promoter will significantly improve its effectiveness and efficiency in establishing and promoting e-services within the Croatian judiciary. Croatian judges seconded to the ECtHR will improve competences by working on the European level, especially in the field of human rights protection. Most importantly, Croatian citizens and legal entities will benefit from upgraded judicial infrastructure, improved performance of judges and raised awareness on the availability of e-services within the judicial system.
The project consists of following components:
- Reconstruction of the ex-department store for the Municipal court in Split
- Reinforcing e-services within the judicial system
- Secondment of judges to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)
Summary of project results
Additionally improve the judicial infrastructure status by reconstructing the building of the Municipal Court and accommodating all permanent services of the court in one place. The project has also included analysis of the e-Services used in judicial system (e.g. case status, court notice board, certificate that the criminal proceedings are not being conducted) and wide promotional campaign was carried out to promote those services to the general public. Three judges have been seconded to the European Court of Human Rights for a period of one year to enhance their professional capacity and knowledge.
Within the scope of first project component public procurement procedure was conducted for construction works and supporting supervisory services. Construction works included renovation of the whole building previously used as the department store. During the project implementation in 2021 it was decided to construct additional floor to host all permanent service in one building. The renovation of the building has been completed end 2023 and the building was then equipped with office furniture and equipment also financed through Norway grants.
Within the scope of second project component the analyses of the usage of existing e-Services of judicial system was done and recommendations on current and potential new services were provided to Croatian partners. Communication strategy was developed for the promotional campaign, which included broadcasting on TV and radio, print media and social networks. Conferences were also organized to promote projects'' results and accomplishments to judicial officials and general public.
Third project component has included secondment of three judges to Strasbourg, at the European Court of Human Rights, in the period of one year to familiarize themselves with the court procedures and it''s practice.
Annual number of court users and citizens using e-services was raised from 1.484.370 in 2018 to 1.619.344 in 2023. Also as the result of this project share of judges and judicial personnel at the Split Court satisfied with working conditions was approximately 90% after the renovation of the court building in 2024 compared to baseline value of 20% before the renovation in 2020.
Summary of bilateral results
Bilateral cooperation has been achieved in the area of e-Services analysis and providing the recommendations in relation to the practice and services used in Norway. Study visit to Norway was organized in 2021 to exchange Croatian experience with the representatives of the Norwegian state institutions in charge for various e-registers and Norwegian State Administration. Croatian delegation has also met with the representatives of the Legal Tech Department of the Law Faculty in Oslo working on the analysis and recommendations for new -Service for Croatian judiciary.