JUDICIAL REFORM IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT (JRIP)
Start date: September 10, 2007
End date: June 2011
Project budget: $ 6.2 million
Objectives
Strengthen the capacity of both judicial sector professionals and institutions to formulate and implement changes, thereby ensuring the judicial system continues to evolve as an effective institution able to meet the needs of citizens, protect their rights and provide prompt and fair adjudication of their disagreements.
Components
- Implement of new reforms
- Improve court practices and material resources
Achievements/Impact
JRIP supported the implementation of key laws that changed the structure and operations of the judiciary, including the Law on Courts, Law on Enforcement, Law on Judicial Council, Law on Court Service Council, Civil Procedure Law, and Law on Court Budget. It also assisted the formulation of further changes in the legal framework to streamline the processing of cases, reduce case backlogs, and improve transparency of court operations. JRIP supported the capacity development of the Court Budget Council, Judicial Council, Court Service Council, and Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, enabling them to strengthen their administrative and management capabilities, and improve overall performance.
The Automated Court Case Management and Information System (ACCMIS) was deployed, replacing manual case processing in all Macedonian courts, and over 2,200 system users were trained. Over 1,100 judges and court staff received training in topics such as communication strategy development, public information, customer service, case-flow management, and introduction to court administration. Based on JRIP’s training needs assessment, training curricula for court staff were developed and institutionalized at the Academy for Judges and Prosecutors, including five training modules for initial and continuing education of administrative staff, court administrators, judge assistants and department heads. Each module consists of five to eight courses. In addition, there are specialized courses covering the accountants and court police.
The Court Administration Association was established and, in its first year, drafted 10 of 39 amendments to the 2010 Law on Court Service and also participated in the development of the first Court Staff Ethics Code.
Sustainability/Legacy
A legal framework is in place to support an independent and efficient judiciary. There is an effective system for enforcement of court decisions, and the Academy for Training of Judges and Public Prosecutors now has a court staff education program. The Administrative Office of the Courts is fully functioning, and the ACCMIS is fully embedded and utilized in the courts.
Contact Information
Contact at USAID: Antoaneta Skartova, AOTR askartova@usaid.gov
Chief of Party: Nevenka Ivanovska, nivanovska@jrip.org
Website: www.jrip.org