The Working Group of the High Judicial Council met in Belgrade to finalise the drafting of the Rulebook on disciplinary proceedings with the support of the joint EU/CoE Project "Support for the Implementation of Judicial Reform in Serbia". The High Judicial Council formed a Working Group composed of members of the Councils and judges with experience in disciplinary proceedings. Civil society representatives took part in the meeting as observers, along with representatives of the EUD in Belgrade.

A local Council of Europe expert supported the work of the working group by adapting the draft initially prepared by the High Judicial Council, bringing technical clarity, compliance with Council of Europe standards, and alignment with the current legal framework. The draft Rulebook prescribes the basic principles and rules of disciplinary proceedings, the position and election of the disciplinary prosecutor, the composition, and the manner of work of the disciplinary commission, as well as the appeal process.

The preparation of this rulebook will develop an appropriate disciplinary mechanism that provides accountability for misconduct within the judiciary, which is an essential element of a credible judicial system. The project "Support for the Implementation of Judicial Reform in Serbia" will continue to support the High Judicial Council in the development of implementation bylaws aligned with European standards".