Towards a better evaluation of the results of judicial reforms in the Western Balkans – “Dashboard Western Balkans“
2019 – 2022 / 2023 – 2026
Context of the Action
This Action is implemented in the framework of the Horizontal Facility III (2023 - 2026), a co-operation initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe for the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The Horizontal Facility III enables the beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards. It is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe. It builds upon the results and progress achieved under the first phase of the programme, implemented in the period 2019 - 2022.
Objectives of the Action
The overall objective is to reach a better measurement of the results of the judicial reforms conducted by the beneficiaries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo*) to allow them to base their future policies and budget allocations on the CEPEJ findings to address outstanding steps needed to complete their reforms and improve the quality, efficiency and/or accountability of their justice system in line with European standards. To this end, the Action will support the annual collection and processing of data on the functioning of the judicial systems of the beneficiaries and provide and implement tailor-made technical expertise and capacity building activities designed from the results of the data collection.
_____________________ * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
Expected results
Improved mechanisms of collection, processing and analysis of judicial data in accordance with CEPEJ standards and tools with the beneficiaries;
Strengthened capacity to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the judicial system and measure the results of the judicial reforms within the beneficiaries.
Methodology of data collection
The CEPEJ collects annually data of the preceding year on the functioning of the justice system in each beneficiary. The methodology for the collection and quality check of data used by the CEPEJ in Evaluation cycles apply to this exercise. Each beneficiary appoints a Dashboard correspondent entrusted with the collection and coordination of the replies to the CEPEJ Dashboard Questionnaire, through the electronic system: CEPEJ-COLLECT. This correspondent is the unique interlocutor of the CEPEJ Secretariat during the whole process. The CEPEJ Questionnaire contains questions from the general CEPEJ evaluation cycles, and some additional questions specific for this Action, some defined in liaison with the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Department for the execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The CEPEJ Dashboard Questionnaire is accompanied by an explanatory note to ensure comparability of data collected through this process. Extensive work is carried out by the Action team responsible for the data collection within the CEPEJ secretariat to verify the quality of the data submitted by the project correspondents.
Two documents to show the results of the data collection for 2022 were delivered to European Commission in the framework of the Dashboard Western Balkans Action.
Comparative tables and graphs explore the regional trends regarding some indicators related to efficiency and quality of the justice systems in the Western Balkans beneficiaries. These tables and graphs also include previous cycles’ data (2021-2019 as well as the 2018 data when available). Each of the 12 indicators is introduced by an overview of the main regional trends.
Moreover, the CEPEJ prepared 6 “Beneficiary Profiles” to provide an in-depth user-friendly analysis of each beneficiary’s justice system. Infographics, tables, graphs, comparisons with previous cycles’ data as well as with the regional medians have been used. Narrative explanations have been added throughout the document to further facilitate the understanding of the presented data, as well as two-page executive summary. Each profile also includes specific analysis for certain indicators related to the independence and accountability of the judicial system.
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The collection of statistical data according to the CEPEJ methodology at the heart of a meeting in Kosovo*
As part of a coordinated effort between the cooperation projects “Dashboard Western Balkans" and “Strengthening the Quality and Efficiency of Justice in Kosovo (KoSEJ III)”, meetings were conducted with key figures, including Mr. Genc Nimoni, Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Justice, and Ms. Albulena Uka, CEPEJ correspondent within the Ministry of Justice. Representatives from various institutions were also present, including the Kosovo Judicial Council, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, the Bar Association, the Free Legal Aid Agency, and the Training Institution.
During these meetings, the CEPEJ Secretariat presented the results of the latest data collections conducted from 2019 to 2022, specifically focusing on the efficiency of the judiciary. This discussion encompassed data related to human and budgetary resources, training, information technology, and alternative dispute resolution methods.
In addition to these discussions, various technical meetings were organized to outline the methodology to be employed in the upcoming data collection. It was emphasized that the quality of collected data is of paramount importance in enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the judicial system. Furthermore, a visit to the Pristina first-instance court allowed for first-hand observation of the implementation of the new Case Management System (CMS).
The Dashboard Western Balkans action is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and is implemented by the Council of Europe under the "Horizontal Facility" program.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
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